Is mian liom fíorchaoin fáilte a fhearadh roimh an Bhille seo. Tá fhios ag achan duine go bhfuil tionchar mór ag an teilifís ar shaol an duine agus mar sin tá sé de dhualgas ar an Rialtas a chinntiú go rachaidh an tionchar seo chun tairbhe ár muintire. Dá bhfanadh an Rialtas mórán níos faide leis an Bhille seo, bheadh an tír faoi thionchar chultúr na Sasana agus bheadh níos mó díobhala déanta taobh istigh de 20 bliain ná mar a rinneadh san tréimhse uilig a raibh an tír seo faoi chois ag na Sasanaigh. Ó thaobh athbheochan na Gaeilge de, tá mé den bharúil go mbeidh an teilifís ina cuidiú mhór. Go dtí seo, bhí na dóigheanna a bhí againn le smaointe a scaipeadh ag feidhmiú in aghaidh na Gaeilge. Ní d'aon turas a rinneadh seo, ach siocair go raibh fadhb neamhghnách le réiteach, sin mar a thárla. Tig linn úsáid i bhfad níos fearr a bhaint as an teilifís ná as aon ghléas eile a bhí againn go dtí seo mar beidh pictiúir in a gcuidiú mhór, cuidiú nach raibh le fáil óna gléasanna eile.
Dúirt Teachta amháin go raibh Teachtaí ar an taobh seo ag cuidiú le labhairt na Gaeilge le vótaí a fháil. Cé mhéid vótaí a gheobhadh duine ar an tsiocair amháin go raibh sé ar thaobh na Gaeilge? Tá sé fíor afach, fo bhfuil Teachtaí sa Teach seo ag labhairt in éadan na Gaeilge, cionn is go síleann síad go bhfaighidh síad vótaí ó dhaoine atá in éadan athbheochan na Gaeilge.
Before commencing my remarks in English on this Bill, I should like to put on record that this morning we had a very full Visitors' Gallery. It was filled with students. To their credit, rather than listen to the attack made by Deputy O.J. Flanagan on the Irish language, they left the building.
With most members of the House, I welcome this Bill. To those of us living along the Border, it is clear it had been introduced none too soon. Day after day sees more and more television aerials erected in my constituency and more and more of our people are coming under the influence of a way of life which is very different from their own and which in fact is often in conflict with it. If we were not to provide an antidote in the form of a television service, I believe that in a shorter time, and in a much more effective way than a foreign army could do it, we would lose our whole sense of nationality. Our mode of life would be changed and the will to make a success of our freedom endangered.
From a survey I made in my constituency, I find that where a television set is installed, the household rely almost entirely on the B.B.C. and I.T.V. not only for their entertainment but for their news programmes as well. It is a rare thing to find a radio switched on after the television programmes begin at approximately 5 o'clock in the evening, and this is particularly true where there are children in the family. When there is a good children's programme on television and it coincides with the news broadcast from Radio Éireann, it is rarely the news is switched on because this is vigorously resisted by the children. The dangers inherent in this are obvious. We cannot discriminate with regard to the news items which are screened on television. They are not like news in newspapers. We must accept them as a whole.
I am dealing with news programmes rather than with other programmes at the moment, and I want to say that the effect on a child's mind, caused by the particular slant given to news on foreign television, is harmful as far as Ireland is concerned. Ireland is very rarely mentioned on such news broadcasts, but, when it is, it is usually in a hurtful way, as for example during the horse export episode when television gave very full coverage to the banners carried down on the quays by people opposed to the export of horses. We had interviews with these people and very full coverage of the rows which broke out on the quays, but, when the television cameras were permitted on board the ship which carried the horses, to examine the facilities on it, very scant coverage was given. Were it not for the fact that the Taoiseach gave an interview to the television companies in connection with that episode, we, as a country, would have come very badly out of it.
With regard to the general programmes on these services we find that wherever there is a drunk, a ne'er-do-well, or a cadger of any description portrayed on British TV he is invariably an Irishman. He has a very obvious Irish name and, of course, he has the Irish brogue. I feel that if we are to retain our identity as a nation, it is absolutely essential that we should have a television station of our own.
Many suggestions have been made as to the manner in which a television service could best be operated. I feel that the Government proposals in this Bill are those best suited and I think this is generally accepted by the people. Because of the terms of reference of the Television Commission, when it appeared at one stage that we were to have our television service run by commercial interests, I was inclined to support one particular group who were anxious to operate the service. I felt like supporting them because of the fact that they were Irish and because I knew that they would safeguard our culture and traditions—in simple language our way of life. However, I never felt too happy that they would be financially able, in the beginning at any rate, to operate successfully an undertaking of this magnitude.
On the other hand, from some interviews I had with agents of the large foreign combines anxious to operate our service, I came to the conclusion that it would be national suicide to allow these people to take over the operation of the service. They did not seem to appreciate that we had any peculiar circumstances here which made us different from any other country. They appeared to believe that the financial end was the only one that had to be considered and that, if they were willing to pay all the expenses and to give the Irish Government a certain amount of time on the service, that was all that mattered and they could do what they liked with the remainder of the time. Therefore, as I said before, I feel that the proposals in this Bill will be best suited to our national needs.
A considerable amount of discussion has taken place on the line system upon which our service should be operated. From what I have read and heard, I believe that the 625 line standard is the best technically, and is the more efficient. I believe it gives a better picture and it is on that line standard that we would get colour television when it becomes available. In addition, it is the system mainly in use on the Continent. The 405 line system is the system in use in Britain and the Six Counties. In theory, we have a choice between these two systems, but in practice, I am afraid we have no choice but to adopt the 405 line system in operation in the Six Counties. Alternatively, we could have a dual broadcasting service on both the 625 and 405 line standards but I have no doubt that the matter of expense would be a telling factor.
In considering the line system, there are a number of aspects which we have to take into consideration. First, we must remember that, as the Minister has already stated, we have already got 40,000 television sets adapted to the 405 line system in the Twenty-Six county area, and I have heard from some people who have a knowledge of the television business that the figure is very much higher than 40,000. These sets represent a very considerable capital investment. Many of them were bought before an Irish television station was thought of and, in fact, when an Irish television station appeared to be nothing but a pipe dream. It would be unjust to the owners of these sets to tell them that, simply because we are going to start our own service, all their sets are obsolete or that they would have to be adapted to the 625 line standard at considerable cost to the owners themselves. I would point out too that in many cases it is not possible to adapt these sets.
We must also consider the matter from a national point of view. It should be clear that one of our objectives is to broadcast in the Six County area because a well-run television service would be very effective in promoting good relations with our fellow-Irishmen in the Six County area who, at the moment, have not got the same political views as us. If we were to transmit on the 625 line standard it would mean that television set owners in the Six Counties, as well as those in the Twenty-Six county area, would not be able to receive the Irish programmes and we would therefore lose a potential audience. It is most unlikely that these people would decide either to buy new sets suited to the 625 line standard or have their present sets adapted because, for some time at any rate, the Irish service will only broadcast for a limited number of hours a day and by changing over from 405 lines to 625 lines they would deprive themselves of much longer viewing on the B.B.C. and I.T.V.
We must also consider it from the financial point of view and in that connection we must take the advertising potential into consideration. The value of an advertisement and, therefore, the price paid for it, is related to the estimated number of viewers and, if we were to adopt the 625 line system, we would obviously have a very small viewing public for a considerable time to come with resultant very small advertising revenue. I feel that if we start now with 405 lines, rather than 625 lines, the difference in income over a certain period would be enough to pay for the change-over whenever the change-over becomes necessary. I do not know what is the quality of the picture transmitted on the 625 line standard, never having seen it, but as far as my own constituency is concerned the picture on the 405 line standard is very good. As well as these matters there are the technical difficulties outlined in the Minister's statement, and also referred to in the Report of the Television Commission. Taking everything into consideration, while it might be preferable in the long run to start on the 625 line system, for the reasons I have mentioned we have no option but to start on the 405 line system.
The Television Commission in its terms of reference was asked to make recommendations on "the special arrangements that should be made to provide for the use of the Irish language and for the adequate reflection of the national outlook and culture." I think we are all agreed that our television service should be utilised to keep our culture and traditions alive and that nothing should be broadcast which would damage them in any way. In that connection, I note that the Report of the Television Commission, at page 38, states:
The General-Manager of Associated Rediffusion Ltd. (who are the I.T.A. programme contractors for the London area, Monday to Friday) in a recent article says "British television, whilst being international in searching for the best from all over the world, should not propagate a foreign philosophy or outlook."
If that is necessary in the case of Britain, a country which has not suffered invasion since 1066, it is obvious how much more necessary it is in the case of our own country. Our way of life is based on sound Christian principles. In a sense, it is the product of a great deal of suffering down through the centuries, and it is something well worth preserving and propagating. Programmes which reflect this way of life will be very much appreciated in the Six County area, because, despite the efforts made by vested interests to prove the contrary, the Orangeman in county Down has much more in common with the people in county Louth than he has with any Englishman, whether he be Conservative, Liberal or Labour.
Since the foundation of the State, the work of reviving the language has, in the main, fallen upon the teacher and the child. Most other media for the dissemination of ideas have tended to militate against its revival. I do not say that that was the result of deliberate policy. It was due to the peculiar nature of the problem. In order to read and understand an article in the Irish language in the public Press or spoken Irish on Radio Éireann programmes, a person needs to have a reasonably good knowledge of the language. In television, we shall have a different medium. We shall have yet another aid to the revival of the language in that there will be a picture. I have a feeling that this medium will prove much more suitable for the revival of the language than those which have been used hitherto.
Here I want to sound a note of warning. Those in charge of Irish language programmes will need to be very careful. The programmes will have to be of the highest quality, attractively produced, and simple. There can be more difficult programmes in the Irish language, but the bulk of the programmes must, in the main, be in simple language. I suggest that those charged with responsibility for these programmes should study the programmes in the Welsh language on the B.B.C. and I.T.V. These programmes are so attractively presented that it is possible to derive considerable pleasure from them without understanding the language at all. I do not understand Welsh but, because of the attractive manner in which these programmes are produced, I derive considerable enjoyment from them.
If our programmes are equally attractive, even those who do not understand the language at all will find some interest in them. Those who know the language will take a very considerable interest in them and will derive considerable pleasure from them. Such programmes would be within the compass of most of the under 40's at the present time. Possibly some of the under 40's may not be able to speak the language fluently but in most cases they understand it. They will be able to follow the programmes in the Irish language with ease.
With regard to news broadcasts, I suggest that the news in Irish should be separated from the news in English by at least two hours. I have advocated this in relation to Radio Éireann on a number of occasions, but, so far, without effect. Where the news in Irish comes immediately before the news in English, it is only natural that in homes in which some of the people speak Irish and in which all of the people speak English, it is the English news broadcast which will be listened to. The same will apply in the case of television, but the position will be somewhat more ridiculous since there will be the same news in Irish and in English, with the same pictures or very nearly the same pictures. For that reason, I suggest there should be an interval of at least two hours between these broadcasts. People will then find it worth while listening to the news broadcast in the Irish language, a broadcast not immediately followed by the news in the English language.
It is important that members of the Television Authority should have a sound national outlook and that they should be interested in everything connected with Ireland, its language, its culture and so on. People who put on Irish language programmes merely because that is the policy of a particular Government will not do. If that is the policy, then we shall have nothing but insipid programmes to which no one will be bothered listening and at which no one will be bothered looking. Such programmes would do more harm than good.
On television, we shall have two kinds of programme—live programmes and canned programmes. Live programmes are very much more expensive than canned. Because of that, most of the broadcasting time will be taken up with films and so on. If we try to compete with the B.B.C. and I.T.V., results will be bad nationally and very bad from the point of view of quality. These combines have considerable funds at their disposal and they can pay sums which it would not be possible for us to pay. They are in a position to skim the cream of all the material available. For that reason, I suggest to the Minister that we should now begin production of our own television programmes either at Ardmore or through the medium of any private company which wishes to and can produce programmes of reasonably good quality.
Elaborate equipment is not, I understand, necessary for the production of the types of films required for television as compared with films for cinema showing. If we were to embark on the work of producing suitable films immediately, we could have a considerable amount of material ready by the time the station opens. That would give us a bit of headway and, following upon the opening of the station, we could continue to produce our own type of canned programme.
I do not suggest that we would be able to produce all the canned programmes necessary but we could produce a very considerable proportion. If we should make a number of films of each story there would be a ready market for them. They could be sold in America where there is an insatiable demand for television material. I do not think that very expensive equipment would be required to produce these programmes. Generally, such programmes produced on the B.B.C. and I.T.V. do not reach perfection as far as production is concerned.
The implementation of my suggestion would require a considerable amount of organisation. Our storytellers, actors, producers, and so on, would have to be brought together immediately. It should be left to them to devise programmes and to proceed with the work. In a sense this is a matter for the Television Authority and I hope they will deal with it without delay.
For children, simple action stories are best. To a certain extent we could follow the B.B.C. and I.T.V. by basing stories for children on Cuchulainn, Fionn Mac Cumhail and so on, as the British authorities base theirs on Robin Hood and Sir Lancelot and others.
There will also be educational programmes. In that respect there should be very close co-operation between the Department of Education and the Television Authority. At present I suppose it would be too much to expect that every school would be equipped with a television set. Failing that, the educational programmes should be broadcast in the evenings. If there were proper co-operation between the Department of Education and the Television Authority, the work in the schools could be aided. A member of the I.N.T.O. executive, speaking at a short course in Dundalk recently, said that we were fighting the battle of education with outmoded methods, the blackboard and chalk, while other countries were developing technical aids. Television would help to fill the void and would be of great benefit to the educational system.
The Television Authority or, perhaps, the Government, will be in an awkward position with regard to advertising. A "buy Irish" campaign is being developed throughout the country and we must consider the effect that the advertising of foreign goods may have on Irish industries. Television is a very powerful medium of advertising. On the other hand, the Television Authority will have the problem of making the station pay. However, I am sure the Government have had all these aspects in mind.
With regard to the type of advertising, I expect there will be some control and that some effort will be made to assure the public that the qualities advertised for a product will be contained in the product. Otherwise, there could be exploitation of the general public.
I should like now to refer briefly to the question of cinemas and local newspapers. In my constituency television aerials are appearing in great numbers. This has had a serious effect on the cinema industry. Attendances and takings have been considerably reduced. Apart from any other consideration regard must be had to the employment content of cinemas. There is a place for television and for the cinema in our social life. They each fill a certain need. It will be agreed, however, that unless cinemas get some help during the critical period they will have to close and, once closed, it is most unlikely that they will be reopened. In my constituency the cinema industry is passing through a very critical period. I have made representations to the Minister for Finance on this matter. It may not be a matter for the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs but I should like him to keep it in mind.
Television is like An Craos Deamhain in drawing to itself the money available for advertising. Obviously, the newspapers will be hit. In this country firms devote a certain amount of money to advertising and cannot afford any more for the purpose. If television is to take the bulk of the money available for advertising there will be very little left for newspaper advertising and the newspapers, more especially local newspapers, will be severely hit. Apart from the employment given by local newspapers they provide an important service to the community. In this case also perhaps the Minister would keep the position in mind so that the minimum hardship may be caused.
On certain programmes of the B.B.C. and I.T.V. we have seen things which we hold dear and sacred mocked and spurned. We have seen an attempt made to substitute a pagan philosophy for our Christian moral code. There is a struggle going on at the moment for the souls of our children. This struggle will be intensified in future. Our children are being placed in a position where they will be endeavouring to make up their minds as to whether the way of life taught at their mothers' knee and in the school or the attractively produced paganism presented on foreign television is the correct way of life. I am convinced that if a Government in this country were to allow this to continue without making any effort to counteract it they would be failing gravely in their duty. That is why I am so very much in favour of this Television Bill.
The Estimates include a very large bill for health. Large as that bill is, most of us would be glad if circumstances permitted it to be increased. We recognise our duty to the people with regard to their physical health. We must also recognise our duty concerning the moral health of our people. By setting up this Irish television service, we are providing an antidote to the type of paganism which is being propagated by foreign television. I wish the new service every success and I congratulate the Minister on the manner in which he has handled this Bill both in the Seanad and in the Dáil.
