Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Advertising Campaigns.

Paul Bradford

Question:

642 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the public relations or advertising campaigns which have been funded, or part funded by her Department since June 1997, which involve the personal appearance of the Minister or Ministers of State on television, radio or in newspapers; the cost of any such campaigns; if any such campaigns are planned for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26810/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

Neither I nor the Minister of State at my Department have participated in any television, radio or newspaper advertising campaigns as described by the Deputy. In recent years Bord na Gaeilge has placed advertisements in the All Ireland hurling final and football final programmes containing photographs of Ministers from the competing counties. My photograph appeared n the advertisement placed in the 1997 hurling final programme, while a photograph of the then Minister of State in my Department, Deputy Ó Cuív was included in the advertisement place in the 1998 football final programme.

A photograph of Deputy Ó Cuív also appeared in an advertisement placed by Foras na Gaeilge in the 2000 all-Ireland football final programme. This advertisement also appeared in special weekly supplements produced byThe Kerryman and Foinse newspapers. The cost of this advertising which was met by Bord na Gaeilge and Foras na Gaeilge was:

1997	£1,275 1,619 (+ VAT)
1998	£1,150 1,460 (+ VAT)
2000	£2,480 3,149 (+ VAT)

I am informed that Foras na Gaeilge has no plans to continue this style of advertising.