Vol. 397 No. 9
17 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications the reason he refused an application from RTE's Cork Local Radio for an extension of broadcasting hours to cover the weekend periods; when the application was received; when RTE were informed of his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
213 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Communications the reason he indicated to Cork Local Radio, by means of a letter through a local representative, that the reorganising of their schedule was not a matter for him and then refused to allow weekend broadcasting.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 213 together.
I am not prepared to consider any alterations to the existing arrangements for RTÉ Cork Local Radio until I am satisfied that such alterations would not prejudice the development of existing and proposed independent local radio services in Cork.
My reply to the representative in question was in the context of a request to reschedule existing broadcasting hours within the existing five day a week format of the Cork service. RTÉ's more recent application represented a fundamental change to a seven day week format.
RTE's application was received on 2 March 1990 and RTÉ were informed of my decision by letter dated 28 March 1990.
I am very surprised at the Minister's reply to my question. Will he agree that in view of the application by RTÉ Cork Local Radio, for which there is great demand in Cork city — and indeed the whole county — it is reasonable for them to apply for an extension of the service over the weekend at a time when other radio stations were making an application for franchises or licences? Will the Minister also agree that it is unreasonable to deny this facility to RTÉ Cork Local Radio?
No.
Deputy J. O'Keeffe rose.
The time has come to transfer to questions to the Minister for Justice.
Am I right in thinking that the Minister is refusing to allow RTÉ to compete openly with local radio in relation to ours? How does he justify that decision?
Level playing fields.
For historical reasons, Cork is the only place in which there is the anomaly of a national broadcasting service operating a local service.
It is a good service.
I considerably extended the hours for Cork Local Radio at the time of publication of the legislation——
The Minister extended it by two hours.
I extended it considerably in relation to what it had been and that is as far as I can go.
I am now obliged to deal with questions to the Minister for Justice.
