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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Aug 1921

Vol. S No. 2

AN AIREACHT CHRAOBHSCAOIL-EACHAIN.

AN LEAS-CHEANN COMHAIRLE:

Sé an chéad ghnó eile ná tuairisg d'fháil ón Aire um Chraobhscaoileachán.

It falls to me to present this Report in place of Desmond Fitzgerald who is in prison. I have been only carrying on his work —work ably conducted by him, and, before his time, by Riobárd O Braonáin under the Sinn Féin organisation.

As explained in the Report, the Publicity Department of Dáil Éireann originated in the Propaganda Department of Sinn Féin, and grew out of it, and was substituted by the Dáil Éireann Department early in 1919, the first Director being Laurence Ginnell. In June, 1919, Mr. D. Fitzgerald took charge of the Department. Several pamphlets were published, and a considerable advance made in the efficiency of the Department. The Irish Bulletin is now received by about 900 newspapers and specially selected individuals.

The general work of the Publicity Department is of great variety, and could be very broadly alluded to. One of its sub-departments has been referred to by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is keeping in touch with our representatives abroad. The Irish Bulletin is circulated to them, and somewhat smaller editions are produced in foreign countries. The success of Publicity abroad depends, of course, mainly upon the good efforts made by our representatives there, and has resulted in the considerable interest now paid to Irish affairs all over the world.

Quite recently, an analysis of some foreign papers produced interesting results. In one batch 117 papers were taken. They came from practically every nation in Europe. Only 8 of these could be definitely described as hostile to Ireland. Forty-eight could be described as definitely in favour of Ireland, and the remainder, about 60, were neutral, but gave great emphasis to Irish news, and, on the whole, acted fairly. The work also includes the collection and publication of statistics in connection with the war, and the publication and distribution of pamphlets; and also efforts to induce Irish authors to produce poems and ballads of national interest while representing the culture of Ireland.

Molaim go mór an obair atá déanta ag an Aireacht so. Is léir dúinn nách féidir linn an cheist sin do phlé anso, agus tairgim go ndéanfar díospóireacht ar an tuairisg seo i Siosón Príomháideach den Dáil.

Aontuím leis sin.

AN LEAS-CHEANN COMHAIRLE:

Cuirim anois an rún so os bhúr gcóir —an díospóireacht so a chur ar athló go dtí Siosón Príomháideach.

Do glacadh leis an rún d'aon ghuth.

Tairgim anois go gcuirfear an Siosón so ar athló go dtí maidin amáireach ar an haon déag a chlog.

Aontuím leis sin.

AN LEAS-CHEANN COMHAIRLE:

Cuirim anois an rún so go gcuirfear an Siosón so ar athló go dtí maidin amáireach.

Do glacadh leis an rún d'aon ghuth.

AN LEAS-CHEANN COMHAIRLE:

Tá an Siosón so curtha ar athló anois. Tiocfar le chéile anso maidin amáireach i Siosón Príomháideach ar a 11 a chlog.

I now declare this Public Session of the Dáil adjourned. It will assemble to-morrow in Private Session at 11 o'clock.

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