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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1968

Vol. 234 No. 9

Broadcasting (Offences) Bill, 1967: Second Stage (Resumed).

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time".

I think you ruled, Sir, that I was in order when speaking here before the adjournment.

On a point of order, can the debate be extended to discussing what Radio Telefís Éireann broadcasts? We will have that debate on the Estimate proper and Deputies will then be able to express their views. If the scope of the debate is widened now, we shall have duplication of discussion on the Estimate.

I think the Ceann Comhairle ruled the Deputy was not in order, but he allowed him to finish.

The Deputy would not be in order in continuing along the lines on which he was travelling, prior to the adjournment of the debate.

He is on the wrong wavelength.

May I make a point of personal explanation?

I cannot understand how a personal explanation could be in order or required. The Bill is clearly defined.

It would not be on a point of order. I have finished what I wanted to say.

I thank Deputies for the reception they have given to this Bill. In reply to Deputy O'Donnell, the radio from ships is related to a part of the spectrum in which the regulations are quite different from those which obtain in broadcasting and the use of radio on ships is governed by international radio regulations. Licences in respect of the use of radio in ships are issued by the government of the country in which the ships are registered. The frequency to be used and the conditions under which it may be used must be in accordance with the radio regulations.

The question of the difficulty of finding wavelengths for certain ships in Donegal does not relate to this Bill at all. These ships can, if necessary, get their high frequency wavelengths in the same way as motor cars which operate mobile radio, but, there again, there are limitations on the use of this particular type of radio and, at present, because of the scarcity of wavebands available for ships, they are confined to the area of cover they have at the moment.

Deputy Corish asked about ships on the high seas. We can arrest an Irish vessel which operates a pirate station outside our territorial waters if it returns home. We can arrest and detain an Irish registered ship if it is positioned continuously outside our territorial waters. In regard to other ships, the purpose of the Bill is to restrain these ultimately by preventing their provisioning and their securing of spare parts, and by preventing advertisers within our territory making use of these ships for advertising purposes.

Question put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Wednesday, 15th May, 1968.
The Dáil adjourned at 3 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 15th May, 1968.
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