asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will submit to the Dáil for its approval the terms of reference and the proposed personnel of the committee to be set up to review the RTE broadcasting and television services; and whether the committee's report will be submitted to the Dáil for its consideration.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Review Body.
43.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No." It would be contrary to established practice to submit the terms of reference and names of the committee members to the House for approval.
As regards the second part of the question, I propose to have the report of the committee laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Is the Minister aware of some public disquiet, disquiet among the staff members of RTE and particularly among Members of the Oireachtas that such a major committee should be established without any prior opportunity given to this House to discuss, even cursorily, the terms of reference and the composition of such a committee? In the circumstances would he, in order to ensure that this disquiet is fully allayed and that all possible goodwill and objectivity is displayed towards the committee, on this occasion break with precedent and put the terms of reference and composition of the committee before the House?
Can the Minister indicate whether there were and, if so, what were the urgent considerations which indicated the establishment of this committee? Why was it established and what in particular are the reasons for the inquiry at the moment?
The answer to Deputy Desmond's supplementary is "No," I am not aware of any great dispute and I do not propose to adopt any of the suggestions he made. In answer to Deputy O'Higgins, I am sure he is aware that television is now with us for about ten years and it is normal practice in other countries after a period of time such as the time we have had television that regional bodies are set up from time to time to have a look at the television operation, see how it works and where it is going.
Would the Minister say in what countries it is normal practice?
They have had five or six in England since the BBC was started, the last in 1960-62. There was one in Sweden very recently, one in Canada, one in Denmark and I am sure there are others. I have not got a note of them but I am sure there are others.
Could the Minister say if the terms of reference for this committee will be the same as those given to the committees in England?
Certainly not. I am sure the Deputy has read the terms of reference for this committee and I am sure he is familiar with them.
Does it mean that this is an indication to RTE and all those who work there that Big Brother is watching them?
Not at all. If Deputy O'Higgins read his newspapers recently in connection with this matter he would have seen that this idea was welcomed by the Director-General of RTE.
Surely the Minister will accept that where such a committee is set up and where there is absolutely no consultation between the RTE Authority and the Minister prior to the terms of reference being determined or the composition of the committee being determined and decided on by the Government, and also where there is no consultation between the Radio-Telefís Éireann group of trade unions and the Minister on the terms of reference and the composition of the committee and where no opportunity is given to this House to discuss the matter——
The Deputy is expanding the question.
——would the Minister accept that it is entirely legitimate that we should express concern?
The Deputy is still expanding on the question.
It is appropriate that it should be asked. Would the Minister, therefore, not reconsider the matter? If he is not prepared to reconsider it now that disquiet has been expressed, could he give to the House now the names of the members of the committee and give us an opportunity of commenting on this?
That would be a separate question.
Could I ask the Minister when the names of the members of the committee will be given?
I would say very shortly.
With due regard to the Minister, I got the same answer last week and also the week before.
The Deputy got the same answer last week but he did not ask the question the week before. I expect to be in a position to announce the members of the committee within the next week.
Will any opportunity be given to the House to debate the matter?
If this committee report back and if the report should give rise to proposals for fresh legislation, then the Deputy will have an opportunity of debating the matter.
The Minister, I am sure not intentionally, appears to be fencing. Of course proposals for legislation must be debated in this House. I am aware of that, thank you very much, but I am asking whether the views or recommendations of the committee may be debated in this House.
The position is that this is a committee which I, as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, decided to set up to assist me with its advice. If as a result of the advice I get I feel that new legislation is necessary, then we will have to come before this House to get this legislation through.
This is purely a private inquiry on behalf of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?
No, but I am Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
Is it a Government inquiry or a Ministerial inquiry?
It is not an inquiry at all; it is a review body.
A review body set up by the Minister or by the Government? Does it carry Government authority or Ministerial authority?
It is set up by me on behalf of the Government.
Does it carry Government approval?
Of course it carries Government approval.
There is a Government decision setting this up?
Yes.
Then we will pursue this matter with the Taoiseach next week.
Question No. 44.
Are the names, as decided on by the Minister, going before the Government for approval?
That is a separate question.
It does expedite the procedure of the House if we get a straight answer to a thing like this.
The Deputy is well aware that Question Time cannot be used for discussion.
What attitude will this committee have towards Gaeltacht broadcasting?
That is a separate question.
I think it is all wrapped up together. Are we going to tie it up in green ribbon and not expose it?