asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the dates he met his British counterpart to discuss arrangements for the rebroadcasting of BBC 1; and if there are any meetings planned for the immediate future.
56.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rebroadcasting of BBC 1.
55.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the outcome of his discussions with Lord Harris, the Minister of State in charge of broadcasting in the British Government, held on 2nd July, 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
I met my British counterparts—they change from time to time—on 14th May, 1973; 30th January, 1974; 24th February; 9th May and 2nd July, 1975. In addition, a number of contacts took place at official level. It is planned to hold a further meeting with Lord Harris of Greenwich, the present Minister of State at the Home Office, who looks after this question, in the late autumn.
I am sorry that I cannot disclose the outcome of the discussions held with Lord Harris on 2nd July, 1975, as this would involve a breach of the confidentiality condition attached to these negotiations.
(Dublin Central): Can the Minister give any indication as to when he will be able to disclose the information received from Lord Harris?
I would not contemplate disclosing information received from Lord Harris at any stage, but I would hope to have a clearer idea and I would hope to be able to make a statement to the House about the position of this matter when the Dáil comes to consider the Broadcasting Bill after the recess.
Did the Minister hold discussions with any other Government Department in Britain regarding this proposal other than his opposite number responsible for broadcasting? In other words, did he have discussions with the Home Office?
The Home Office is the Department responsible for broadcasting.
Did he have discussions only with the Home Office?
Because that is the Department responsible for broadcasting.
There were not discussions with any other Department?
No. I discussed it with the office responsible for broadcasting, which is the Home Office.
I take it that there was no agreement reached between the Minister and his British counterpart?
The Deputy may not take it that there was no agreement reached. It was publicly stated by Lord Harris that the position depended on what the Irish people wanted, that if Irish people are anxious for the rebroadcasting of BBC 1, the British authorities would put no obstacle in the way. I am not revealing anything confidential because that was publicly stated and is on the record and we were both in agreement on that subject. We also agreed to keep in touch. I agreed to take soundings to find out as far as I can what the wishes of the people are in this matter, and especially the wishes of the people in the singlechannel area who are most affected. I propose to do that during the summer and I hope to be able to report more fully to the Dáil in this matter in the contest of the Broadcasting Bill.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give any indication of how he expects to test out public opinion? Through what forum does he expect to test it?
I hope to make further statements on that in the course of the summer.