asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether, as reported, the chairman of the Television Committee and/or a company with which he is associated are engaged in the production or distribution of programmes being broadcast or about to be broadcast; if so, how many such programmes; when the chairman or such company, as the case may be, became so engaged for the first time; whether any other members of the Committee are similarly engaged; and, if so, if he will give similar information in respect of them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Programmes.
27.
Recording studios with which the Chairman of the Television Advisory Committee is associated are engaged in the recording, or production and recording of 17 series of sponsored programmes being broadcast or about to be broadcast by Radio Éireann. So far as the information immediately available shows, the studios have been so engaged since 1954. A director of the studios in question is also associated, in a personal capacity as guest producer, with one current series of ordinary station programmes. No other member of the Advisory Committee is so engaged, but one member is understood to be associated with a firm which regularly purchases advertising time.
Is it a fact that up to the last few months the firm in question were doing only three programmes and since the gentleman in question has been appointed Chairman, the number has gone up to 17?
No, that is not right.
Has the Minister got the number there?
I could have them sent to the Deputy but I shall not. I have the programmes here but I just have not got the dates. I do know that the studios concerned have been engaged in producing sponsored programmes for Radio Éireann since 1954 and they have been producing them in greater numbers than three at a time.