Vol. 396 No. 3
21 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications when it is intended to appoint a new chairperson and members to the RTE Authority to replace the present Authority whose term of office expires shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is my intention to appoint a new RTE Authority when the term of office of the current Authority expires on 31 May 1990.
We know the Minister will appoint a new Authority, but how does he propose to proceed with the appointment of the new Authority? Having regard to what I regard as an unfortunate aside by the Minister towards the current affairs investigative authority — a section of that radio and television unit — made earlier, one would be concerned about the Minister's effort to editorially direct the service through the appointments he would envisage for the Authority.
I am three years Minister for Communications and I have never tried to influence the editorial policy of RTE, and I have no intention of doing so. I have a statutory responsibility to appoint an Authority when the term of office of the present Authority runs out on 31 May.
