asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether, in view of the obvious unsatisfactory working of the restrictions imposed under section 31 of the Broadcasting Act, 1960 and the expressed criticism by RTE staff of the manner in which such restrictions interfere with normal news reporting, he will consider revoking such restrictions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadcasting Act, 1960.
22.
I do not agree that the working of the restrictions is obviously unsatisfactory. I would point out that the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies noted the views of journalists on the problems caused by section 31 but held "that the section is a necessary contribution to public order at this troubled time in our history".
Will the Minister give any consideration to allowing duly elected local authority members to be interviewed on matters affecting their areas?
I have no plans to allow anything on the lines suggested by the Deputy. I note that he did not allow any changes when he had the opportunity. It is particularly appropriate that no changes be made in view of the rather chilly statement made at a recent gathering of the Provisionals when they waved a ballot paper in one hand and, metaphorically, an armalite in the other hand. Are we to allow local authority representatives, waving a ballot paper with one hand and with their armalite rifle behind their back in the other hand, access to our airwaves?
There were no representations whatsoever made to me in relation to this factor. In fact during my term of office it transpired that two local authority members in this category were interviewed and it was only as a result of inquiries and representations in relation to that that the question arose. All I asked the Minister was: will he give any consideration to interviewing those local authority members on local affairs only? I am quite in agreement with the other part of the Minister's statement in relation to the need for section 31. But there should be a somewhat more open approach in relation to these matters. I could not see that it would infringe the spirit of the part of section 31 to which he referred.
As I have already explained to the Deputy, these local representatives are waving the ballot paper with one hand and have the armalite behind their back in the other hand. I do not propose that they should get freedom of the airwaves.
Now that up to perhaps half the young people of this country are tuning in, in one way or another, to pirate radio, has the Minister anything in mind to deal with such interviews over this pirate radio system?
Of course pirate radios are unlawful. The position there is that amending legislation is necessary to deal effectively with them. That is the proper way to deal with them. There is a question later on dealing specifically with that question. Perhaps the Deputy will wait until I give the answer to that.