asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether his attention has been drawn to a report that Telefís Éireann would have an operating loss of £250,000 for the first year of operation; whether his Department have made any estimate of probable loss on operations for the first year by Telefís Éireann; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take to offset such loss.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telefís Éireann Operating Loss.
86.
I have seen the report mentioned by the Deputy. I understand that the Broadcasting Authority considers that the speculative forecast it contains of the outcome of the first year's operation of Telefís Éireann is too pessimistic. It is too early yet to make a reliable forecast and in any event the position for this year would not be representative as the Authority's provincial transmitters are not yet in operation. It was of course realised when the Broadcasting Authority Bill was under consideration that the television service might not pay its way for a few years.
Would the Minister say when we will have the first general and financial report of the Broadcasting Authority?
The audit of the accounts ending 31st March, 1962, was completed a short while ago and I hope, within a reasonable time, to have the accounts and report laid on the Tables of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
More power to the Minister's elbow. I hope the Minister for Transport and Power is listening to that.