asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if the Board of RTE are completely free to decide policy in relation to their programmes; if any general directions are laid down by the Government in this matter; and, if so, what they are.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Policy.
17.
Radio Telefís Éireann operates in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 1966. These Acts give certain powers to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, including control over such matters as the hours of broadcasting and the quantity of advertising permitted. In general, however, they give the Authority complete freedom regarding programme content, subject to two special obligations imposed by Sections 17 and 18 of the Act of 1960. The first of these is that in performing its functions, the Authority shall bear constantly in mind the national aims of restoring the Irish language and preserving and developing the national culture and shall endeavour to promote the attainment of those aims. The second is that it shall be the duty of the Authority to secure that, when it broadcasts any information, news or feature which relates to matters of public controversy or is the subject of current public debate, the information, news or feature is presented objectively and impartially and without any expression of the Authority's own views.
Section 31 of the Act of 1960 gives the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs power to direct the Authority in writing to refrain from broadcasting any particular matter or matters of any particular class. Under the same section, the Minister may also direct the Authority in writing to allocate broadcasting time for any announcements by or on behalf of any Minister of State in connection with the functions of that Minister of State. Neither of these powers has been used.
The Authority acts as its own censor but, in accordance with an undertaking given by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the Broadcasting Authority Bill, 1959, was being discussed in the Oireachtas, it has made a liaison arrangement with the official Film Censor for advice on the standards to apply to its external film material.
No general directions are laid down by the Government in regard to the Authority's programme policy. I have, however, indicated in my comment on the Estimate debate that the responsibility rests with RTE to ensure that programmes reflect national progress and national problems and that within its financial limitations RTE should endeavour to increase the proportion of home-produced programmes.
May I ask the Minister if it is in accordance with their policy and the policy of the Government in relation to this matter that the Board of Telefís Éireann should have programmes designed to discredit and to slander Irish emigrants abroad? In view of the urgency and importance of the matter and the dissatisfaction as a result of a programme of this kind, would the Minister take the necessary steps to see that at least the truth be made available for viewers of Telefís Éireann in relation to the conduct of our Irish emigrants abroad? Further, is it not a fact that very recently, on the instructions of Telefís Éireann, there has been a round-up of certain well-known Communists for the purpose, first, of having them put on television for interview and, secondly, to ascertain their views? Is that in accordance with the Government's policy or are these people acting on their own initiative? If they are acting on their own initiative in relation to the subject of Irish emigrants in Britain and the soliciting of support, for publicity purposes, of Communists, is it not time for the Government to intervene in a matter of this kind?
The Deputy is making a speech.
I do not intend to set the precedent for programmes of this kind to be discussed in Dáil Éireann. There has been wide comment on both sides. Different opinions have been expressed in regard to the very matter of which the Deputy speaks. I think it is best to leave discussion of the matter until the debate takes place on the Estimate for the Department. If the Deputy wants to know anything more about my general views—which were expressed very generally and which received no criticism in the House—he can read the comment I made of a general kind on the last Estimate. The Deputy can take up the matter on the occasion of the Estimate when there is a general discussion of the performances on Radio Telefís Éireann during the year. To have a discussion on any particular programme would be quite impossible and, therefore, in this and other countries, details of a programme are not in the ordinary way discussed in the Dáil.
In view of the widespread dissatisfaction with the programme on Irish emigrants, would the Minister not consider expressing his regret for any offence which the Radio Telefís Éireann Authority may have caused to Irish emigrants, particularly in view of the fine tribute paid to Catholic emigrants by Cardinal Heenan when he spoke recently in Kilburn? This matter is a lie that should be nailed.
The Deputy is making a speech.