andMr. J. Ryan asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the surveillance exercised by his Department to prevent the illegal operation of wireless apparatus; the number of personnel engaged in this work; and the number of prosecutions in the past year in respect of offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Wireless Apparatus Illegal Operation .
10.
: It would not be in the public interest to furnish the information sought in the first two parts of the question. Four prosecutions were brought against the operators of illegal broadcasting stations in the year ended 31 May 1978.
: Is a licence required to operate wireless apparatus for the purpose or pretext of security?
: I cannot answer that question. The only authority entitled to a broadcasting licence are RTE.
: Would the Minister agree that the recent incident of bugging in an industrial concern totally disregarded the rights of workers?
: That is a separate question.
: As my name is on that question I should like to repeat what Deputy Kerrigan said. Is the Minister aware of an incident in Dublin involving an industrialist who installed a bugging device in his factory which caused unrest among the workers? Is he satisfied that this shabby method of bugging was not used against the interests of the workers?
: It has nothing to do with the original question.
: Surely the Minister has some responsibility in this matter as he is responsible for issuing licences? He has the responsibility to ensure that such shabby methods are not allowed to continue.
: I have already explained to the Deputy that the only body entitled to a licence for broadcasting purposes are RTE.
: Is the Minister aware of this situation?
: I am not allowing that question as it is an irrelevant supplementary. I am calling Question No. 11.
: Has the Minister any responsibility for bugging or counter-bugging measures?
: That is a ridiculous question.