asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht the policy of his Department with regard to the placing of advertisements in national daily newspapers for applications for jobs in Gaeltarra Éireann finance projects; when and how one particular advertising agency became involved; and the cost to his Department of such agency involvement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaeltarra Éireann.
3.
Fágtar faoi Ghaeltarra Éireann a chuid socruithe féin a dhéanamh i gcúrsaí fógraíochta agus ní bhíonn mioneolas ag mo Roinnse ina dtaobh.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that he is not interested in or concerned about the job creation aspects of the policy of Gaeltarra Éireann, particularly the placing of advertisements by Gaeltarra Éireann in national newspapers?
Tugadh cead do Ghaeltarra iad féin an obair sin a dhéanamh. Tá siad neamhspleách i gcúrsaí fógraíochta agus rudaí mar sin agus ní chuirimid isteach orthu.
Would the Minister be concerned if it became apparent that there was a suggestion that the freedom he had given to Gaeltarra Éireann was being abused in some way, particularly in relation to the manner in which they were seeking applications for jobs? Would that be a matter of concern to the Minister and would he involve himself in the matter?
Má shíleann an Teachta go bhfuil éagóir ar bith á dhéanamh maidir leis an tslí go bhfuil an fograíocht á dhéanamh, ba mhaith liom an t-eolas sin a fháil. Tá Gaeltarra ag teacht go díreach faoi chúram na Gaeltachta ach tá siad neamhspleách. Ach más rud é go síleann an Teachta go bhfuil aon rud as an tslí á dhéanamh, bheinn sásta an cheist a scrúdú.
Certainly I will produce whatever evidence I have to indicate why I put down this question. Is the Minister aware that Gaeltarra Éireann placed two large advertisements in the national papers and they both suggested a different course of action with regard to responses to those advertisements? Can he explain this?
Níl an t-eolas sin agam agus ba mhaith liom é a fháil ón Teachta.
With respect, it is not my job to give the answers to the questions which I tabled. The allegation might be relevant here that there is a substantial Fianna Fáil holding in one of the interests involved in one of the advertisements and that this might be the reason for the difference in the approach by Gaeltarra Éireann. That is a serious matter. I am putting it as delicately as I can manage.
Ón t-eolas atá agamsa, tá an fograíocht atá ar siúl ag Gaeltarra Éireann ar siúl le fada an lá. Fuair siad an deis seo agus níor sáraíodh é. Ach má tá rud éigin mícheart leis ba mhaith liom an t-eolas sin a fháil.
I will be in touch with the Minister. There is some evidence to indicate that although the concept of "jobs for the boys" has been around in politics for a long time, we are talking about jobs for the boys who provide jobs for the boys. It is not satisfactory that the Minister should come in here and plead ignorance of a body which is under the aegis of his Department. The question has been on the Order Paper for weeks and the Minister must have some idea what is behind it. It is not adequate to shrug it off in this way.
Má chuireann an Teachta ceist díreach go bhfuil politíocht i gceist agus má chuireann sé síos an cheist díreach sin, tig linn an rud a scrúdú.
Tá an cheist díreach enough at the moment.