asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he intends to initiate an early morning news service on Radio Eireann on Sundays, and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Éireann News Service.
The Director of Broadcasting has informed me that it is not proposed to initiate an early morning news bulletin on Sundays to supplement the midday bulletin on that day which was introduced recently. It is particularly difficulty and expensive from the staffing aspect to provide for bulletins on Sundays at times widely separated from one another. There have been considerable extensions to the Radio Éireann News Service within recent years and it is considered that they now serve all reasonable requirements.
Would the Minister state if he is prepared to facilitate the workers in the morning by having news bulletins, say, at 7.40 a.m. and 8.40 a.m. during the week?
This question asks only about Sunday bulletins.
Would the Minister consider it?
The news bulletins are at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Possibly the Minister is not aware that the vast majority of people who are working have to be on the job at 8 a.m.
The suggestion is that these bulletins should be put on earlier?
Yes, 7.40 a.m. and 8.40 a.m.
I shall look into that.