Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Apr 1959

Vol. 174 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Eireann News Features.

26.

Mr. O'Sullivan

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (1) the number of Radio Éireann Provincial News Round-Up and City Newsreel features since 1st July, 1958, which contained reports or recordings of the speeches or other activities of Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries; (2) the number of such features which contained reports or recordings of more than one Minister and/or Parliamentary Secretary; and (3) the number of such features which contained more than one report or recording of the same Minister or Parliamentary Secretary.

27.

Mr. O'Sullivan

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (a) the number of Radio Éireann news bulletins since 1st July, 1958, which contained reports of speeches or other activities of Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries elsewhere than in the Dáil or Seanad; (b) the number of news bulletins, if any, which did not contain such reports; and (c) the number of such bulletins, if any, which contained reports of speeches or other activities of leaders of other Parties elsewhere than in the Dáil or Seanad.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. Ormonde)

With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Question 26 and 27 together.

To compile the detailed particulars asked for in the Question would involve more research work than is warranted. In any case there are no scripts for "Provincial News Round-Up" and "City Newsreel". They are recorded on tape and subsequently erased so that the tapes can be used again.

Mr. O'Sullivan

I regret that the Minister has not been able to give more specific information. I want to ask the Minister if it is not a fact, that in the past 12 months, Radio Éireann bulletins have been very largely devoted to the personal advertisement and glorification of Ministers of the Government.

Mr. Ormonde

I do not think that is the case at all.

Mr. Sweetman

It has not done them much good, I am afraid.