Letter from Seán MacBride to James Everett (Dublin)
(Copy)

Dear [blank]
A proposal has been made to us for an exchange of programmes between Radio Éireann and Radiodiffusion Française. The proposal has a double aspect - one of a direct propaganda character and the other cultural. As you are aware we are particularly interested in this Department in the propaganda aspect, especially in connection with the Anti-Partition Movement, but the cultural side would be of great interest to our Cultural Relations people, and as indirect propaganda.

The proposal was originally made by Madame Sinclair,¹ an established member of the French Radio, who is the wife of an Irish citizen. I understand that the Radio Éireann authorities have previously been approached in this matter by a Mr. Mark Mortimer² of rue de Buci, Paris, as long ago as the summer of last year. Prior to that, Madame Sinclair herself had spoken to the Radio Éireann authorities about the possibility of an exchange of programmes with Radiodiffusion Française. The advantages offered are so great that it would be a pity if we were not to avail ourselves of them.

The aspect of the proposal which is of chief interest to us is that Radiodiffusion Française have agreed to grant facilities in Paris for the recording of talks or special features without any charge for technical facilities. This would seem to promise valuable dividends for a minimum of trouble. The opportunity of bringing the Partition problem to the notice of French speaking people - not alone in France, but in Belgium and Switzerland - is one which I feel we should not let slip.

I understand that the only obligation which we should incur by agreeing to this proposal would be that, from time to time, we should supply Radiodiffusion Française with recordings of programmes, the subject and nature of which would be chosen by mutual agreement. Without anticipating the decision of the Broadcasting Directorate with regard to the type of programme which they could supply to Radiodiffusion Française, I feel that recordings of Irish dance music by a good Céilí Band, as well as Song Recitals in Irish, and talks, such as those to be broadcast in the near future by Padraic Colum,³ would meet the requirements of Radiodiffusion Française.

Whilst appreciating the extra work which an ordinary exchange of programmes might entail, as outlined in a minute⁴ from Mr. Leon Ó Broin⁵ to my Department on the 13th May last, I feel that the present suggestions need not cause any great difficulty. I understand that programmes broadcast here can be recorded simultaneously. If some of these programmes were recorded specially for Radiodiffusion Française our obligation to them would, I understand, be fulfilled. We, on our part, could avail ourselves of the facilities which they have agreed to afford us for recording talks in Paris for later transmission over their Service. This, I think, would avoid any undue increased technical or administrative work for the Radio Éireann staff.

There may be difficulties of which we are not aware. If there are, you might be able to arrange for these to be thrashed out between officials of the Broadcasting Service and officials of this Department. I need hardly emphasise that no unreasonable difficulty should be allowed to prevent us from making full use of every channel available to make the Partition problem known to the people of Continental Countries.