asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Government on proposals for legislation to prohibit illegal radio broadcasting.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Illegal Radio Broadcasting .
6.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is proposed to introduce legislation on pirate broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
8.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is envisaged that illegal radio stations will be controlled and regulated; and the steps being taken in the interim situation prior to legislation, to take strong action against the operation of illegal radio.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7 and 8 together.
These stations operate in breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Acts and of international agreements, to which this country is a party, governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum generally. It is my intention to introduce legislation within the next few months which will strengthen the powers of my Department to take effective action to suppress these stations. In the meantime my Department will take action against such broadcasting stations under existing legislation.
: Is the Minister aware that there are now more than 70, perhaps 80, illegal radio stations operating in the State? Will his proposed Bill provide for commercial or community broadcasting, or both? Will the Minister tell me particularly whether RTE will be involved in such stations and will he give me a commitment that the employment level at RTE will not be in any danger? Will it be commercial or community interests who will be provided for in the Bill?
: All I can say is that there is a considerable number of illegal stations operating. I do not know the exact number but I would be surprised if it was as high as the Deputy suggested. I know the number is considerable. I am at present considering exactly what proposals I should put to the Government in connection with the development of legal local radio. It would be premature for me to disclose what my thoughts are yet because I have not reached finality.
: The Minister has said he intends to introduce legislation within a few month but he has not yet decided whether the Bill will be catering for commercial or community radio.
: I hope that before the end of the year I will be able to introduce legislation which will bring an end to illegality in broadcasting and at the same time make provision for the development of legal local radio. The exact make-up of such local radio has not been decided — it is a matter for discussion in the Department and we hope to have discussions with outside interested parties before I bring the Bill to the Government.
: In Programme for Government the Minister clearly expressed preference for community radio. His predecessor, Deputy Cooney, told me some time ago that he, too, had a preference for community radio. Will the Minister, therefore, concede that it will be community radio?
: That programme has been thrown out since then.
: The Deputy will know of the great difficulty people have in interpreting words. It depends very much on what the Deputy and I mean by the word "community". All I can say is that I am considering the development of legal local radio stations and as fast as possible bringing to an end illegality in broadcasting. The House should welcome this advance.
: Would the possible change in the Minister's and the Government's thinking in this area of radio broadcasting be influenced by the fact that the Minister has succeeded in getting his man in as controller of programmes?
: That remark is not in order.
: I do not think I should let that remark go astray. It is a disgraceful comment by the Leader of the Opposition.
: It is disgraceful.
: The appointment was made by the RTE Authority which were appointed by his Government.
: When the Minister is considering the balancing of his new arrangements would he consider giving some share in these arrangements, even for commercial local radio, on the basis that presumably it will be possible to extract from commercial interests anxious to engage in commercial local broadcasting very hefty fees for that privilege, thus contributing to the financial position of the Department?
: I will not exclude any option. I am considering all options and I hope to come up with the best option to serve the interests of the country and the listeners.
: Has the Minister buried Deputy Nealon? He has not referred to that Minister of State in his comments. We all understood that the Minister of State had been put in by the Taoiseach to manage and to control broadcasting.
: It has not got anything to do with the question.
: Would the Minister not consider reintroducing the 1979 Wireless Telegraphy Bill and the 1981 Independent Local Radio Bill which were very good pieces of legislation proposed by the Minister's predecessor? Then the Minister would get a speedy passage of the Bill and the matter would be resolved once and for all.
: The appointment of Deputy Nealon, the Minister of State, was specifically at my request. The appointment was made so that we could give the priority we are now giving to broadcasting. We hope to get those pieces of legislation precisely because we have the Minister of State for that purpose. The two Bills to which Deputy Leyden referred could serve as the basis for the legislation we are proposing.
: Has the Minister considered whether the independent broadcasting authority or the individual broadcasting stations should own the equipment which would be used for broadcasting? Has the Minister considered that and has he made a decision on it?
: We are considering the points raised by Deputy Wilson. No decision has been taken so far on any of these matters but they will have to be teased out.