Vol. 395 No. 9
8 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he is concerned at the reported low level of public awareness concerning the Irish Presidency of the EC; if he has any further plans to develop the campaign of public information; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The poll to which the Deputy refers indicates that two out of every three persons in the electorate were aware that Ireland held the Presidency, and I have no doubt that this level will become even higher as we continue to conduct the affairs of the Presidency successfully and efficiently.
Will the Taoiseach not agree that the cost of mounting this expensive publicity campaign would be more than the funding required to staff an Oireachtas foreign affairs committee the impact of which would be more permanent? The comprehensive nature of the contribution of such a committee would, perhaps, reach a wider and non-partisan audience.
We are returning to the subject matter of the previous question.
I do not think so.
I have answered the Deputy's question.
Silence sometimes speaks volumes.
Indeed.
And this is one of the times it is not golden.
