asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has any proposal from RTE to extend its hours of service to cater, inter alia, for those viewers and listeners who have an interest in the Irish language.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Broadcasting Hours.
28.
I have no proposal from RTE at present for an extension of broadcasting hours.
Is it the Minister's intention to ask the Authority for such a proposal?
It would not be necessary for me to ask the Authority for such a proposal. I know they would be anxious to increase broadcasting hours. They are considering the matter at the moment. We would all like to see broadcasting hours extended but the only limitation on that is the licence fee. If proposals come before me for increases in broadcasting hours not necessitating an additional increase in the licence fee this year, I will sympathetically consider them both in relation to viewers and listeners who have an interest in the Irish language and other viewers and listeners.
In the circumstances to which the Minister refers, has he any proposals or any request in relation to satisfying the needs of the people who have an interest in the language or culture as it exists at present?
As I have explained to the Deputy and the House, I have no proposals at the moment in relation to this matter but I know that the RTE Authority have the matter under consideration and I will sympathetically consider any representations put before me.
I take it the Minister is referring to the extension of hours. Will the Minister refer to the extension of programmes providing for what might be regarded as the Irish interest?
As I explained more than once to the Deputy, I have no proposals before me at all but whatever proposals are put before me will be carefully considered.
Is the Minister aware of the dissatisfaction felt by people on this panel and has he any regard for such dissatisfaction?
I am aware that many viewers have different demands and views about what they want to hear and what they want to look at. The RTE Authority who are the body primarily concerned with this, under authority delegated to them by this House, have the responsibility of assessing these competing demands. I know they have a care for the interests and the demands of viewers and listeners who have an interest in the Irish language and who would like to see that coverage increased.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.