asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether it was by his instruction or with his approbation that light music was broadcast from Athlone during the late King's burial service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saorstát Broadcasting Station and King's Burial Service.
The broadcasting programme is not arranged on my instructions. There was, however, I am informed, no broadcasting from Saorstát stations during the time fixed for the late King's burial service.
Is the Minister aware that light music was broadcast from Athlone at 1.32 p.m. on the day of the King's funeral? Is he aware that the burial service, in fact, continued until nearly 2.30? Is he aware that no other station in Europe broadcast light music that afternoon, and is it his considered opinion as a Minister of the Crown that there was no failure in good taste on behalf of the Irish broadcasting station?
Mr. Boland
I think the Deputy has got his information from the Morning Post, which made a statement that we broadcast light music during the burial service of the late King. The Morning Post was informed by some of its readers—possibly Deputy MacDermot was amongst them—that it had made a mistake. They telephoned from London for information, and when they found they had made a mistake they said so in their next issue. There was no light music broadcast during that afternoon; that is my information.
During that afternoon?
Mr. Boland
At that hour.
Will the Minister take it from me that I did not obtain my information from the Morning Post, which is a paper I never read?
Mr. Boland
May I take it that the Deputy's question is in pursuance of his policy to improve the relations between the two countries?