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Dáil Éireann - Volume 277 - 06 February, 1975

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Information Services.

20. Dr. Gibbons asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that much of the literature despatched by the Government Information Services to local newspapers arrives late and that much of it has no relevance to the area in which many of those papers circulate; and if he is satisfied that the results justify the efforts.

Dr. Cruise-O'Brien: I am not so aware. I am aware that the Government Information Services send copies of all ministerial speeches and statements daily by post to the editors of provincial newspapers. The service is furnished at the request of the newspapers concerned and I am satisfied that the provision of this service is helpful to those newspapers and is justified.

The Government Information Services are always open to suggestions for the improvement of the service in any particular case, or at the request of a particular category of newspapers.

[1939] Mr. Lalor: In view of the situation that exists, as conveyed in the question put down by Deputy Gibbons, would there be any possibility that the Minister might arrange for the National Coalition Committee on Information to take this in hand and to use the facilities of the State to get information, instead of confining it to Deputies on the Government side?

An Ceann Comhairle: That is not a question. We are having an argument.

Dr. Cruise-O'Brien: It would not be a matter appropriate to the committee. The material supplied goes out generally and, in view of modern means of communication, naturally the more important bits reach the provinces by way of radio and television more quickly than by post. The material provided by post is mainly useful to the papers concerned for record purposes, so that they may be able to consult past statements. It often happens that as Government public activity is particularly marked during Dáil sessions this does not meet the provincial papers deadlines which may be in the middle of the week. If a provincial paper has a problem in this area and if they wish to receive more swift information on a given day it would be possible for the paper to arrange a telephone collect service with the GIS before they go to Press. The GIS would be quite open on that matter.

Mr. Lalor: Does the Minister not agree it would be conducive to the better streamlining of information if there was only one organisation charged with informing the public rather than having two organisations involved—the GIS and the national propaganda dissemination service?

Mr. Crowley: An orgy of propaganda.

An Ceann Comhairle: We appear to be reverting to a previous question.

Dr. Cruise-O'Brien: The Deputy is mistaken. There are not two organisations. The GIS have a particular purpose, which is to inform the public [1940] in general. and in specifically informing the Press and the media. Its functions are not mainly related to this House. I am responsible to this House in this area by the Taoiseach's direction, and it is my duty therefore to answer questions raised in this House and by groups of Deputies who may consult me about wishing an improved flow of information on Government activity and policy. However all that put together does not make an organisation. There is only one organisation here, the GIS.

Dr. Gibbons: Have local newspapers made suggestions for the more effective running of this business and is the Minister satisfied that they have been acted on?

Dr. Cruise-O'Brien: A number of suggestions were made and a number have been acted on. I am not sure that all have been acted on, but all that have been found practicable to handle have been. Obviously it is part of the duty of the GIS to provide as good a service as they can to provincial papers. Therefore they lend a very attentive ear to any suggestions they get from provincial papers. Some papers have an inconvenient deadline in relation to the publication time.

An Ceann Comhairle: I am calling the next question, Question No. 21. A lot of latitude has been allowed on this matter.

Mr. Crinion: I should like to ask the Minister one short supplementary. Was it in order for a civil servant in the Minister's Department to send out on the free post scheme information——

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is reverting to a previous question.

Mr. Crinion: I am not and the Chair would realise that if the Chair read this question.

Dr. Cruise-O'Brien: I am in the Chair's hands in this matter.

An Ceann Comhairle: Next question.

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