Vol. 224 No. 8
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he made suggestions to the authorities at Radio or Telefís Éireann following which news items were changed or deleted; and, if so, the number of occasions and the reasons for his actions on all such occasions.
13.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he suggested to Radio or Telefís Éireann that certain individuals be not allowed to broadcast; if so, the number of occasions and the reasons for his actions on all such occasions.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos.12 and 13 together. I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Taoiseach to similar Dáil questions.
He is not a candidate for the succession so he has not got to state his case.
In the Taoiseach's reply, he stated that individual members of the Government were entitled to do what has been suggested in the question. Can the Minister for Transport and Power say in specific terms if he has ever interfered with RTE?
I do not propose to make any further statement. The Taoiseach made the matter very clear. It has been misinterpreted by the Opposition.
Clear it up, then.
The position is that the Minister can interfere with RTE.
The Deputy's use of the word "interfere" does not cover the situation, as he well knows.
Try "intercede".
