asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, having regard to unfair sponsored programmes by the ESB on Radio Éireann in which methods of cooking other than by electricity are denigrated as old fashioned and dirty, he will take steps to raise the level of advertising ethics in sponsored programmes in future, and set up an independent tribunal to adjudicate on complaints of unfair advertising on radio and television programmes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Radio and TV Advertising.
53.
Mr. Ryan
The functions of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in relation to radio and television advertisements are limited to approving the total daily time fixed by the Authority for advertisements and the distribution, determined by the Authority, of that time throughout the programmes.
Radio Éireann has a strict code of standards for radio and television advertising. This code specifically provides that advertisements shall contain no claims intended to disparage competitors, competing products or other industries, profession or institutions. It does not seem, therefore, that any special action is called for from the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and I would suggest that any complaints of unfair advertising should be addressed to the Director-General.