asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will explain why Radio Eireann, in its report of Dáil Eireann proceedings, suppresses the names and questions of Deputies on very important national and local matters, whilst it always gives the Minister's name who answers, the questions, with reply in full.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Eireann News.
The purpose of the news bulletins is to give information in brief form and the time for the preparation and delivery of these is strictly limited. The inclusion in the bulletins of the question and name of the Deputy does not add materially to the summarised information given in the reply. The news officer, under the supervision of the director, decides on the specific material to be included in the bulletins and on the form in which it is to be given and I have not interfered with this practice. On very careful examination, I am convinced that any other practice would make the task for the reporter impossible. Brevity and rapidity in the work is so essential that no other consideration must be allowed to interrupt or distract the summarising of the reports.
I may add that I am satisfied with the excellent way in which this task is performed and I would resist any attempt to influence the officers.
The Minister started off by saying that the purpose of the news bulletins is to give information of importance. Surely the Deputy who asks questions in the Dáil and who is responsible for bringing forth that information is entitled to be mentioned? It would not be too much to say: "In answer to Deputy So-and-So, the Minister said..." The newspapers are very much curtailed nowadays and it is not easy for Deputies to have their questions and statements here reported. A Deputy asks a question in the interests of his constituents and they might like to know that he did ask that question.
The broadcasting service could not lend itself to be made use of by individual Deputies.
Only by the Government?
Only for the purpose of giving information of national interest and importance.
Did the Minister say that he would resist the action of whoever is responsible for preparing these reports if, in the form in which the reports of Parliamentary Questions are prepared, they were to run: "The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, in reply to Deputy Corish, said..."?
I think the Deputy has tied himself into a knot in the question he has asked.
I asked the Minister is it his attitude that he would resist, or would not allow the officer preparing reports to submit his reports to the broadcasting station in this form: "The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, replying to Deputy So-and-so said..."?
I did not say that.
The Minister did Read the last sentence again.
I said I would resist any attempt to influence the officers.
Mr. Brennan
To give the names of Deputies?
So that the reporter is quite free to report it more intelligently?