asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why the Government Information Services issued, as official Government information, a ministerial speech (details supplied) alleging that the last Government had left a "stagnant economy" and a "demoralised people".
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Speech.
17.
(Dublin South-Central): The speech to which the Deputy refers although delivered on a party political occasion related primarily to the development of the telephone service and Government policy thereon. The speech was inadvertently released through the Government Information Services.
Does the Minister carry any Ministerial responsibility for what the Government Information Services do?
(Dublin South-Central): I understood that the particular speech would be a suitable speech for the Government Information Services to distribute.
I am not in any way challenging the Minister's right to say and think what he likes, but the question is directed to inquiring why the Government Information Services officially issued the opinions I referred to in the question. I want to know why the Minister here today is answering this question seeing that he carries no ministerial responsibility for the Government Information Services?
(Dublin South-Central): Because it is addressed to my Department.
No, it is not. I put down that question to the Taoiseach but as happens in nine cases out of ten when I put questions to the Taoiseach he runs away from them or fobs them off on somebody else like a hot potato and everybody on these benches has had the same experience.
(Interruptions.)
This is not a debate.
This Minister has no responsibility for the Government Information Services.
We cannot have an argument now. Question No. 18.
We are well used to Fianna Fáil propaganda but we object to the Government Information Services being dragged into the lie-spreading.
The Deputy should refrain from making speeches at Question Time.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Minister does he know——
It is not permissible to make speeches at Question Time.
This is an important matter——
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? I must insist that Question Time is not used for debate.
Could I ask the Minister if he knows what the circulation of a GIS statement is? Does he know whether they go automatically to foreign embassies in this city?
(Dublin South-Central): I understand that the Government Information Services are very efficient.
Does the Minister know the extent of the circulation of official statements carrying the livery and letter head and masthead of the Government Information Services?
(Dublin South-Central): I can assure the Deputy that the substance of my speech is quite valid. He knows that perfectly well.
Is the Minister saying that we may then take it that the Government are spreading through their service these polemical and untrue statements to every embassy in the city and through them to their Governments?
The Deputy is asking argumentative questions which are calculated to cause disorder. Will he please resume his seat? He seems to think he has a licence to be disorderly at Question Time——
No other government in the western world do things like that.
I shall have to ask the Deputy to leave the House if he persists. I have just had enough.
I ask your permission to raise this question on the Adjournment. I am not happy with those answers.
I can communicate with the Deputy.