asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that on Saturday, 1 September 1984 the National Broadcasting Corporation of America and Micheál O'Hehir were refused admission to the Rock of Cashel to do a documentary film on that monument; and the steps he proposes to take to ensure that discretionary powers, not already in existence are granted to the chief guide at the Rock of Cashel to ensure that such embarrassing eventualities will not recur.
Written Answers. - Entry to Rock of Cashel.
152.
I am not aware that the National Broadcasting Corporation of America and Micheál O'Hehir were refused admission to the Rock of Cashel to make a documentary film on that monument on Saturday, 1 September 1984. At about 10.30 a.m. on the day in question Mr. O'Hehir and an NBC crew arrived at the Rock without having made any prior arrangements for filming. They were informed by the head guide that written permission to film there was required. The manager of the film crew accepted the need for such permission having regard to his experience in filming in various parts of the world. Mr. O'Hehir, however, expressed annoyance at the position and left the Rock. In the meantime the head guide set about getting oral clearance for the filming and this was given within one hour of the NBC crew arriving on the Rock.
I am not prepared to alter the existing instructions to the head guide in relation to filming at the Rock of Cashel. Prior written permission from the Commissioners of Public Works will continue to be a requirement to ensure orderly management of the national monument and to avoid its being used for unsuitable purposes. I am satisfied that the head guide will continue to use his discretion in the matter of recommending approval should such unusual circumstances arise again.
The final word in this matter should be left to NBC's European director who was quoted in a Sunday newspaper on 2 September as follows:
It's the same the world over — you need permission to film in these places. We just went up there spontaneously. Once we were able to explain the situation and make a few 'phone calls we were allowed in. We had some very nice filming.