asked the Minister for Communications if he will approve an application by RTE to extend the broadcasting hours of Cork local radio.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Local Radio Broadcasting Hours.
11.
I have informed RTE that it would be inappropriate to make any decision on the extension of hours of broadcasting on its local service in Cork until the future format of local radio services generally has become clearer.
The reply read by the Minister is the same as that given on 17 June to a similar question. Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Communications indicated in June that there were proposals before the House and that he hoped the matter would be resolved quickly? How long more must we wait? Will the Minister of State acknowledge that Cork local radio, established in 1974, received an extension of broadcasting hours in 1982 from the then Minister, Deputy Wilson.
The Deputy is making a speech.
What is stopping the Minister extending the broadcasting hours of that station? Why is the Minister hiding behind the Bill that deals with local broadcasting?
I have listened on many occasions to Cork local radio and I am a great admirer of what it has been doing and I have no doubt of its popularity in the area. The difficulty is that the situation has not changed since the previous question was asked. It would be inappropriate to extend the hours of broadcasting——
Take a chance.
Help your local Deputies in the general election.
I am optimistic about the future of the Cork radio station.
I am moving to priority questions.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 147 of 23 October last.
I wish to raise the price increases announced by Irish Distillers.
What about the death of the Board of Works?
Would it be possible to take Question No. 13, which has not been reached, with Question No. 19? Would the Minister agree to take the two together? It deals with Irish Shipping.
The question is being taken separately. The Deputy is now invading the time of Deputy Wilson. I do not know if the Deputy appreciates that. Question No. 18.