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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telecommunications Service Monitoring.

RTÉ broadcasts promoting emigration

Summary

Fitzpatrick asked whether it was reasonable for RTÉ to promote emigration and suggested this might reflect Government policy. The Minister and Ceann Comhairle treated the matter as separate from the questions on Telecom Éireann and An Post.

Does the Minister think that it is reasonable that the national radio and television service should be used over an extensive period to promote emigration?

Comment on this
Ray Burke Mr. R. Burke Fianna Fáil

That seems to be a separate question. These questions relate to Telecom Éireann and to An Post.

Comment on this

Bord Telecom have an input into Teilfís Éireann do they not? Does the Minister, in his capacity as Minister for Communications, think that it is reasonable that RTE should be used to promote emigration?

Comment on this
Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

That seems to be a separate matter.

Comment on this
Ray Burke Mr. R. Burke Fianna Fáil

It appears to be a separate matter, and having had four years experience of the former Ceann Comhairle referring me to separate matters, I am taking the opportunity to do the same.

Comment on this

Perhaps the Minister's reluctance to deal with this is promoted by the utterances of the Minister for Foreign Affairs——

Comment on this
Ray Burke Mr. R. Burke Fianna Fáil

That is totally unfair.

Comment on this

——and perhaps the promotion of emigration has now become Government policy.

Comment on this
Ray Burke Mr. R. Burke Fianna Fáil

I am just trying to keep to the order of the House, as Deputy Fitzpatrick told me to do on many occasions.

Comment on this