Before progress was reported on the Estimate I was anxious to place on record my tribute to Radio Éireann and to dedicated men like Ciarán Mac Mathúna and Séamus Ennis who during the years, in spite of tremendous adversity, in spite of the fact that at the time of their labours Irish music was not fashionable, continued to cover the length and breadth of Ireland in their travels. No mountain was too high for them and no valley too steep. They went and sought out in the crevasses of Ireland that which was best in our music, both instrumental and vocal. Later on it was fortunate that we had artists of the calibre of Seán Ó Riada who, with those men, was able to dress and to modernise this music and bring it to the place of prominence it now enjoys not only in the cities and towns of Ireland but in Europe and, generally speaking, internationally.
What they achieved is an indication of the power of the radio and though we may be critical of Radio Éireann in other matters, as far as I am concerned that achievement tends to eliminate a lot of it and I am inclined to forgive Radio Éireann for what I might think of as other shortcomings. The pity is that the same success does not attend the efforts that have been made in the matter of the Irish language.
On the other hand, I am not without appreciating that in this respect Irish radio and television have played a part. However, I must express a personal regret in the matter of Irish programmes or, rather, programmes in the Irish language. I am mildly disappointed that a programme of the importance of "Féach," a programme in the Irish language about matters of public interest, has of late changed slightly and has become a programme on which there are far too many: it has now become a platform on which there are far too many people talking not in but about the Irish language. I want as far as possible to hear people on radio and television and in this House and elsewhere talking not so much about as in the Irish language. I suggest that Irish radio and television should take heart from what has been achieved by radio in the matter of Irish music.
I should like to mention a matter which is of concern to my constituents but which I appreciate is a problem in regard to other constituencies. I refer to what is known locally as "children's allowance day". That in Dublin is the day on which mothers go to collect what they look on as being an entitlement of motherhood. Under the law this money is payable to them on a certain date and while they are not obliged to collect it most of them feel obliged to do so. That places a heavy pressure of work on the local post office.
I have made inquiries in the Department occasionally on this matter and the reply is understandable, that it is difficult to organise for what is an exceptional day in the post office in that area. On the other hand, since these women are entitled to collect the money on that particular day, they are entitled to collect it in the same circumstances and comfort as people who do not need to collect it until some time later. I am asking the Minister, in post offices where the figures show this exceptional volume of work occurs, to examine the situation and if possible provide adequate temporary staff so that we will not have mothers queueing up on public thoroughfares with the appearance of being there to collect something to which they are not entitled. One is more mindful of this at the present time of the year and until next March or so during the inclement weather. If people are entitled to this money they should get it without any suggestion of charity or anything tending to detract from human dignity or to increase hardship on these people.
Now I wish to refer to a political programme. I have always spoken my mind here maintaining a certain balance between compliment and criticism. If I think compliments are deserved I pay compliments and if I think criticism is merited I criticise. Each of us is entitled to his own ideas about programmes. I suppose politicians are especially sensitive to programmes dealing with politics. Generally speaking, I am impressed by reports I get—one is not always at home—of "Today in the Dáil" and also by what I hear of "This Week in the Dáil". This was because the commentators and those presenting these programmes appear as questioners and commentators rather than interrogators. There is a subtle difference. In this searching programme questions are put in a nice, calm and cool manner; they are not, in my opinion, put in with a view to placing any politician irrespective of party under the necessity of being on guard and suspecting that somebody is hunting him. Because of that, the programme brings out the best in politicians. There is much good in politicians but the tragedy is that often because of the attitude of somebody asking questions we do not get the best but the worst in politicians.
Finally, I hope and I know the Minister will treat this matter in the manner in which I present it to him. I have a special interest in Gaeltacht areas. I do not represent one but, to me, the Gaeltacht areas are very important ones. I am personally annoyed and disappointed when I read of any disharmony in any Gaeltacht area. I am not familiar with the details but recently I have read and heard a certain amount regarding Litir Mór post office. I should like to have the benefit of the Minister's comment on that position. He is responsible for all post offices irrespective of location and I trust he will enlighten me on the problem which exists in Litir Mór.
