asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has used his office to change the content or format of current affairs or political programmes on RTE.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Programmes.
25.
The answer is no.
Would the Minister agree that for a programme transmitted on Friday, 15th April, in connection with 1916 those who compiled the programme had hopes that the Minister's colleague, Deputy Thornley, would appear in a face to face confrontation with the Minister regarding the merits or demerits of 1916? Did the Minister decline this invitation and indicate that he wanted to be alone on this occasion?
The Deputy's impression is entirely without foundation of any kind whatever.
Would the Minister not agree that those who compiled the programme and those who appeared on it were left under the impression that the Minister had agreed to a face to face confrontation with Deputy Thornley? Would the Minister agree that it is unusual for him to step out of character on this occasion and cast himself in the role of the Greta Garbo of Irish politics?
Greta Garbo was a very beautiful and attractive person. I should like to give the Deputy a serious answer to his question. There is no foundation for that impression. I was not asked to appear with Deputy Thornley, nor did I refuse to appear, nor would I have refused to appear. He did appear in the course of the programme. The format of the programme was that at the end of it Professor Murphy of Cork, and myself, discussed this. That was the only format ever suggested. I was not consulted about the format of the programme generally; I was only asked to appear and discuss this matter with Professor Murphy. I agreed to do so and no other proposal was at any time put to me.