asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will statein regard to the recent appointment of a conductor and of an assistant conductor for the Radio Éireann Orchestra, (a) if advertisements inviting applications for these posts were published, (b) the conditions and terms of the appointments made, (c) the qualifications of the persons appointed and (d) the method by which the persons appointed were selected.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Appointments to Radio Éireann Orchestra.
The post of principal conductor was not advertised. Mr. Milan Horvat was appointed as principal conductor on the recommendation of the musical director and other officials who reviewed the work of the various conductors who had conducted the Radio Éireann Orchestra. It will be understood that some of these conductors could not be considered as they were no longer available. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on 25th June, 1953, for the other information which he requires regarding the principal conductor.
The post of assistant conductor was advertised in the daily newspapers of Saturday, May 2nd, 1953, and announcements concerning the vacancy were made from Radio Éireann during the following fortnight. Following a comparison of the experience and qualifications of the 12 applicants for the post seven of them were called for interview and conducting test by a selection board which consisted of the Director of Broadcasting, the music director, the new principal conductor, Mr. Milan Horvat, and Arthur Gruber, a distinguished German conductor who has frequently been guest conductor here. On the unanimous recommendation of the selection board, Mr. Eimear Ó Broin has been appointed assistant conductor for a trial period as from August 25th, 1953. He will be paid at the rate of £70 per month and his other conditions of service will be those generally applicable to unestablished civil servants. Mr. Ó Broin secured his Bachelor of Music degree at U.C.D. in 1950 and subsequently studied at the Paris Conservatoire under the direction of Mr. Eugene Bigot. By the unanimous decision of a jury of nine well-known conductorshe was awarded 1st prize and 1st place in the final examinations in orchestral conducting there in 1952. Later, he studied the technique of conducting opera and ballet at the Munich State Opera. In a competition for a research fellowship in the music section of Harvard University he was placed 2nd among the 14 successful competitors and was invited to attend a conducting session held under the auspices of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Before his appointment as assistant conductor he had already conducted the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra, had also conducted orchestras in Switzerland in concerts of contemporary Irish music, and had contracted engagements to conduct concerts in Scandinavia in September and October next.
Will the Minister say why he so readily gives the qualifications of the musical conductor in Radio Éireann and is very reluctant to give the qualifications for a sub-postmaster?