asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) when he intends to set up an independent broadcasting authority for local radio; (b) if he will be taking into account the terms and guidelines used in the Independent Local Radio Authority Bill, which was introduced in May 1981; and (c) if it is his Department's intention that this authority should be self-funding i.e. by involvement in commercial interests.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Local Radio .
5.
: It is my intention to provide a framework for the orderly development of local radio at an early date and I expect to put proposals accordingly to the Government for consideration as soon as possible. Aspects of the Bill circulated in May 1981 are among the matters to be considered. The precise form that local radio will take has not yet been decided and it is not possible for me to say at this stage what form the funding of it will take.
: Has any money been allocated in the current Estimates for the establishment of this authority? The Minister of State stated that aspects of the matter are being considered, but nothing has been finalised. Is he prepared to consider the absorption of the national network of radio stations in existence at the moment? Will there be Government appointed personnel on this authority and how many? What does the Minister of State mean by "an early date"?
: Very considerable progress has been made with the legislation and I hope to be in a position to put it to the Government very shortly. As far as the details are concerned it would be wrong for me to enter into the details at this time. As far as the actual date is concerned, I hope to be in a position to circulate the Bill during the autumn period and that it will come before the House after the recess.
: Could the Minister of State say at this stage if he has decided that his approach will be the establishment of an independent local radio authority to receive applications from those wishing to get licences?
: The procedure will be an independent local authority.
: Will commercial interests be allowed any involvement in the setting up of local radio?
: My general approach at the moment is that the legislative framework will be such that any type of people, commercial and otherwise, can apply and put their case to the independent local authority.
: If, as the Minister says, considerable progress has been made already towards bringing the Bill before the House, could he say if a decision on the fundamental question has been made as to whether the authority will own the equipment or if the people who get the licence will own their own equipment?
: That is one of the major issues, as Deputy Wilson is very well aware from his previous experience in it. As far as I am concerned, I have made up my mind on it. It is a matter of putting it to the Government and I have not yet done so.
: Would the Minister of State like to tell the House when that will be?
: It would be wrong of me to tell the Deputy before I tell my colleagues in the Government.
: That would be anticipating a debate on the matter.
: In view of the fact that the Minister of State is now devoting his time practically full time to the question of broadcasting. I am rather surprised that he has not made more progress.
: The Deputy will have to change his approach to questions.
: Will the Minister of State bring the Bill before the House before the summer recess in view of the serious anxiety expressed by the general public? Has he consulted the Labour Party in relation to the Bill or is it his own Bill?
: Deputy Leyden's first complaint about me was that I was going to devote too much time to RTE and those affairs. Now he seems to be conveying that I am not devoting enough time.
: Irrespective of whether or not final decisions have been made on the matter, would the Minister of State not agree that there would be a danger that, if the authority was run by RTE, it could develop into another monolithic bureaucracy? Would he not agree that, because of that danger, he should give very serious consideration to the many willing commercial interests around the country, of domestic origin, taking into account that there are in existence radio stations and cable systems controlled by multinationals, which I can name if he wishes?
: The Deputy can be assured that there is no question of RTE running the authority. This will be a separate, independent local radio authority which will make the decisions on the applications submitted to them.
: Question No. 6.
: The Minister of State has not replied to the last question.
: I have called Question No. 6. A supplementary was asked since the Deputy's one.
: On a point of order, it is only right that if a Deputy asks a supplementary question the Minister of State should reply to it. I asked a very fair question in relation to the Labour Party because they are fundamentally opposed to the rationalisation of independent local radio stations.
: The Deputy is out of order. Question No. 6.
: On a point of order, is it not rather unusual that no Minister of the Government is sitting on the front benches during Question Time?
: There is precedent for what is happening now.
: Has the precedent been established by this Government?
: It is not a matter for the Chair.
: I appreciate that, but would the Chair convey to the Taoiseach that it is disrespectful to the House that a Minister is not here.
: Would you agree that the Minister of State's reply has been evasive?
: That is not a matter for the Chair.