asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will place in the Oireachtas Library copies of each script employed by Radio Eireann for the Children's Hour.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Programmes on Radio.
There is now no special Children's Hour, but probably the Deputy has in mind the programmes for schools. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the supply of copies of the scripts used in these programmes to the Oireachtas Library, and consequently I am not prepared to agree to the Deputy's suggestion. I should add that a large part of these programmes comprise teaching lessons for which no formal script is prepared; for example, teaching of Irish songs with piano, Irish dancing lessons and choral work. There are, further, certain copyrights.
Is the Minister in a position to inform the House whether there is any co-ordination between his Department and that of the Minister for Education in determining whether such scripts as are available for perusal are suitable matter for the instruction of children at schools, as I understand some of the material submitted could fairly be described as having a highly propagandist flavour?
Our programmes and our lectures are very carefully selected. Within the time limit at my disposal, I have had the lectures examined and, on the whole, I could not see that there was anything that one could say was objectionable.
On the whole?
Yes.
Might I ask the Minister if the words "on the whole" were advisedly inserted, because I am not alleging that the entire text of every script is objectionable? What I am suggesting is that careful perusal of these scripts would induce any prudent Minister for Education or Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to direct the deletion of controversial and undesirable matter which should not be brought under the attention of children in the form of instruction, or, I should say, in the guise of instruction.
I did not find anything at all that could be objected to. I might not agree myself with everything in them, but that is a different matter. Certainly, from the point of view of the public, there was nothing objectionable.
Did you look at them?
I speak in my official capacity.
You have not read the scripts?
I have had them read.
Might I ask the Minister whether he has had any complaints from the public about this particular portion of the schools programme? In my opinion, and I listen to it regularly, it is about the best of them.
My suspicions are confirmed. I thought there was a nigger in this wood-pile. Now, will the Minister read the scripts?