asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure the largest possible turnout of voters for the adoption referendum next month, and if he agrees that a high percentage poll is desirable; if an advertising campaign is planned and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adoption Referendum.
11.
I am in consultation with the Government Information Service with a view to arranging for suitable publicity in regard to the referendum. All I wish to say at present is that I hope there will be a good turnout at the poll and that there will be overwhelming support for the Bill, whose terms are, I believe, welcomed by those most concerned, namely, adoptive parents.
I join with the Minister in wishing for the same turnout and the same massive endorsement of the proposal. Would he not agree that one way of ensuring that would be to have launched a very expensive advertising or publicity campaign? Is the Minister aware that out of ten people in the street asked by a casual observer about the adoption referendum tomorrow week, most of them do not even know there will be a referendum, not to speak of what the issues are. Does the Minister accept that there is a lot of ground to be made up about bringing this referendum to the attention of the public? The way it has been handled so far is very negligible.
There will be a massive advertising campaign over the next few days through television, radio and public press. I agree with the Deputy that there is a lack of knowledge on the part of a large majority of the population. I would ask the people to take this opportunity of showing concern for other people's problems, those of the 26,000 adopted children and the adoptive parents. Here is an opportunity for the nation to come together, get off our collective social consciences and go out and do something on behalf of other people. This is probably one of the most important referenda to come before the people. I am very appreciative of Deputy Keating's remarks in that regard.
Is it not all the more extraordinary, when the Minister attaches such significance to the referendum, that as of today not one penny of public funds has been spent in trying to bring this message to the people? How much is it proposed to spend on the campaign?
As from today and tomorrow literature will become available to the political parties through the Government Information Service.
To all parties?
That is my information, subject to correction. In addition to that, the Adoptive Parents' Association, Children First and all other organisations we have met during the last few months will be entitled to go to the Government Information Service and get a certain allocation. I do not know what amount of literature will be available to each political party or these associations. We have all an obligation to ensure this referendum passes and that everyone goes out and votes "yes". Regardless of the amount of public attention being brought to bear, it is never proper to speak too soon. That is a personal opinion but we all have an obligation to ensure that there is a large turnout. Let us see what kind of a nation we are in relation to other people's problems.
Is the Minister in a position to let us know why we have not had advertisements similar to those which appeared in relation to the European election and which were shown nightly on television? Is it intended to insert advertisements in the provincial newspapers?
That is being examined.
Examined?
The answer to the Deputy's question is that I am not quite clear whether they will be going into the provincial press. I do not have any information on that but I think they will.
What is the total budget?
Mr. Andrews
I do not know. What we are doing now is undermining the prospects and introducing controversy into this problem.
That is not fair.
It is a fair remark. I do not want the House to fall into that danger.
That is the last resort of a Government who have been totally indifferent to their job.
As this is Wednesday will the Minister ensure that these advertisements are inserted in the provincial papers and that it is across the board advertising, not just Government or Fianna Fáil advertising? All parties support what the Minister has said but the remarks of the Taoiseach yesterday would suggest that the Government are taking this over. That would be a dangerous development. Will the Minister ensure it is made clear that all parties support the referendum?
I cannot say if Fianna Fáil put an advertisement in the newspapers, as distinct from the Government, that they can say that Fine Gael and Labour also support it. At the end of Question Time I will bring the views to the attention of the person in charge of the adoption referendum, the Minister for Justice.
Will the Minister deal with the question of having it in the provincial papers?
I will.
That will have to be done in the next few minutes.
These are matters which depend on one's attitude to the timing of such things.