asked the Minister for Communications the steps which have been taken to prevent interference on RTE 1 and 2 Radio and BBC 1 and 2 Radio by an illegal radio station known as CC Radio; if no steps have been taken, when it is proposed to take action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CC Radio.
8.
Statutory responsibility for the investigation and detection of interference with reception of broadcasts is vested in RTE who have advised that while they have investigated several complaints of interference to their transmissions by CC Radio in recent months they have not identified any particular case where CC Radio were directly interfering with RTE reception.
RTE and my Department have no function in regard to the protection of the reception of broadcasts which do not originate in this country. Nevertheless CC Radio are an illegal broadcasting station and in common with any such station their operator is liable to prosecution at any time. However, it is not the practice to divulge in advance what course of action might be taken against any particular illegal operation.
I am surprised by the Minister's reply that RTE are responsible for pursuing these matters. I made a complaint to the Minister's office in relation to this pirate broadcasting company who are interfering with radios in offices in the House. When is it proposed to introduce the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Bill, as he indicated in correspondence to me, which will enable his Department to have greater powers in regard to pirate stations?
The Bill referred to by the Deputy has been tabled in the Seanad and is one of the outstanding broadcasting matters I am anxious to bring to a conclusion. I am trying to resolve many interacting broadcasting issues and I hope that some conclusions will be reached in the very near future. However, it would be wrong to give the impression that I am optimistic in this regard.
Can the Minister indicate to the House the last time action was taken against a pirate broadcasting station and what it consisted of?
That is a separate question. Action was taken in the last month or so against certain stations operating in and around the Tara Street area which were interfering with emergency services.