asked the Minister for Communication the number of hours Cork Local Radio is allowed to broadcast; and the number of hours sought by RTE for this local radio service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Local Radio.
13.
RTE have approval under section 19 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, as amended by section 14 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976, to broadcast a maximum of 750 hours per year on their local radio service in Cork.
RTE sought my approval recently to increase broadcasting hours to within the range 3,500 hours, maximum, and 3,000 hours, minimum, per year in order to broadcast an all-day service, Mondays to Fridays. I have informed RTE that it would be inappropriate to make any decision on the extension of hours of broadcasting on their local service in Cork until the future format of local radio services generally has become clearer.
Does the Minister not agree that the success of Cork Local Radio warrants a change of heart and of mind by the Minister, and would he reconsider the decision he has announced in the reply and extend forthwith, even on a temporary basis, the hours of broadcasting for Cork Local Radio, which has been a very successful means of communication in the Cork region?
I have no doubt of the success of Cork Local Radio, but it would be wrong of me to make decisions on radio development piecemeal or in isolation. It is right that a decision on the future format of local radio should be made in an overall way, and all other decisions should be held back until the position becomes clear.
Would the Minister confirm that a previous decision by a previous Minister allowed an extension of the hours of broadcasting for Cork Local Radio? If Deputy Wilson, as Minister, could do so why is it that Deputy Mitchell is precluded, in his words from extending the hours of broadcasting?
It surprises me to hear that Deputy Wilson extended the hours of broadcasting of Cork Local Radio. I have no recollection of it.
I have.
I have no recollection or knowledge of that and if Deputy Wilson likes to refresh my memory I will be delighted. I would hate if a question by Deputy Lyons were taken as fact, especially by The Cork Examiner. I am not sure——
I am sure.
I have no doubt whatever and neither have the people of Cork. I want to put the record straight.
You cannot put the record straight by making a speech.
You have said that the purpose of questions is to elicit information and to ask for reasons——
The Deputy is being argumentative.
I am not arguing. The hours of broadcasting for Cork Local Radio were extended, a decision was taken about that station on its own, and may I ask the Minister to indicate to me what is precluding him from taking a similar decision to extend the hours of broadcasting for Cork Local Radio?
The answer must be obvious. Listeners in Cork may well want a choice of radio and this will have to be thought about and decisions taken. I refuse to be pushed into making piecemeal decisions against the overall long time interests of broadcasting.
The Minister is thinking of Dublin. Dublin will be all right, but to hell with Cork.
The Minister has been three and a half years in his present office and he knows now that there will be local radio in his time. Therefore, I am asking him to allow additional hours to Cork Local Radio. I appeal to the Minister to grant the extra hours and to leave aside his plans for local radio generally because he will not be implementing those plans — I probably will be.
I hope the Deputy will enjoy better success than he had the last time he was in my Office.
Would the Minister indicate when he proposes to make decisions on this matter?
My intention is to deal with the entire future of local radio. There are proposals before the House and I hope that this matter will be resolved quickly.
By the next Government.