asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if any consultations have recently taken place between him and the Radio Éireann Authority about the future of the television service; and, if so, what was the result of such consultations.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Service.
29.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is satisfied with the present proportion of native materials as opposed to imported film or recorded material appearing on Telefís Éireann; and whether the present proportion of native material is to be maintained.
31.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether the present financial resources of the television service of the Radio Éireann Authority are sufficient to maintain the present proportion of native Irish material on Telefís Éireann; and, if not, if any further finance is to be made available to the Authority.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 to 31 together.
There have, of course, been consultations from time to time between the Minister and the Radio Éireann Authority on broadcasting matters, but there have been no recent specific consultations on the general future of the television service.
The section of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, under which annual grants in respect of broadcasting licence fees are paid to the Authority expires on 31st March next. Accordingly, fresh legislation concerning the future method of financing the Authority's ordinary, as distinct from capital, expenditure will be necessary within the next few months. The matter is at present under examination, but it will be some time before a decision is reached as a comprehensive review of the finances of both the television and the sound broadcasting services is involved. Moreover, this opportunity is being availed of to consider what other amendments, if any, of the principal Act are desirable. The new Bill will be introduced as early as practicable in the New Year.
The financial review to which I have referred will naturally lead to some consideration being given to the likelihood of the Authority being able to maintain or increase the present proportion of native Irish material, which is now of the order of 60 per cent of the total output. The Deputy will recall that when the Television Commission was considering whether an Irish television service was likely to be self-supporting, it assumed that initially, because of their higher cost, home originated programmes would form only 25 per cent of the total viewing time. From the outset, however, the Authority aimed at a percentage of at least 40 per cent and has progressively increased this proportion to the present very high level.
I must confess I did not hear all of the Minister's reply. Did the Minister say that the present principle of native material would be preserved during the present financial year?
Up to the time this review that I have spoken of takes place and until the decisions in relation to the new Bill are taken.
Will the finances now available to Telefís Éireann allow them to preserve the present proportion of native material?
It is expected that they will, but I shall have to have a special report on the matter before I can satisfy myself definitely to answer the Deputy's question.
Can the Minister say as a result of his review of the legislation which he says he proposes to undertake, that it will ensure that there will in future years be a greater proportion of native material and more employment for Irish artistes?
My answer did not imply that at all. The Deputy is aware that when Irish television was established it was laid down that the service should be operated without ultimate cost to the Exchequer.
I would hope the Minister would have more function here than merely to pass over the moneys voted by this House to Telefís Éireann. Is he aware that ten times the number of hours are given to imported films of drama and light entertainment as to the home programmes of a similar nature employing, say, more than three Irish artistes? Does he think that that is a healthy situation?
That is a different matter altogether.
It is contained in the questions I put to the Minister.