Vol. 408 No. 4
22 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he has satisfied himself that the provisions of the Radio and Television Act, 1988 are adequate to provide for the establishment of community radio stations; if, in view of the fact that no such stations have yet been established, he will consider amending the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Section 4 of the Radio and Television Act, 1988 specifies that it shall be a function of the Independent Radio and Television Commission to arrange for the provision of sound broadcasting services, including a national sound broadcasting service additional to the broadcasting services provided by Radio Telefís Éireann. It is not my intention to amend the Act at this stage.
My function as regards issuing the licences to the commission will not arise until the commission is in a position to enter into contracts for the provision of community services. It is clearly and statutorily a function of the Commission to bring the matter to that stage.
Would the Minister not agree that there are at least ten groups in Dublin who are keen to provide local radio services and that it is unsatisfactory that the IRTC should have said to them that they had to investigate the way the system operates in Europe? Is it the Minister's intention to allow local radio stations in the Dublin area to be licensed as it has been consistently pointed out that they would pose no threat to the commercial stations which have already been established?
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the proposed community radio stations. I am sympathetic towards local groups who wish to press ahead and provide such services as soon as possible but the Deputy is conscious of the fact that it is a matter for the IRTC to decide on the timing and pace at which that development should proceed. They have informed me that they are studying the way the system works in other countries and are somewhat concerned about the effect community radio services would have on the existing commercial stations many of whom — without putting a tooth in it — are having a difficult time. I will draw the Deputy's comments to the attention of the IRTC.
The Minister's response is disturbing. I did not think when the legislation was introduced that it would all depend on whether the commercial stations would be successful. To my knowledge, no licence has been granted by the commission to date. Does the Minister not think that it is high time he informed the chairman of the commission to go about the job entrusted to him and issue some licences?
I discussed this matter with the IRTC as recently as yesterday and I understand that their studies, which have taken them to the United Kingdom and other parts of the Community, are nearing a conclusion and that within a matter of weeks they should be in a position to study the results and make a decision.
Would the Minister outline the way in which community radio services would affect or pose a threat to the viability of the existing commercial radio stations? Would he not accept that they would provide entirely different services and operate in entirely different ways, that there is no connection? Would the Minister not agree that it appears that the commission are thinking along the lines that there is a connection and that the matter should be clarified in the interests of those community groups who have been seeking licences to provide community radio services for some considerable time?
I think the Deputy misunderstands me. I said I am sympathetic towards those groups who wish to establish community radio services. I think the IRTC are behaving very sensibly in studying the way the system operates in other countries. The commission have informed me that they are somewhat concerned about the effect large scale community radio services would have on the existing commercial radio stations and want to be conscious of the pace at which they should proceed. That is the present position.
A final question from Deputy McCartan.
There are no community radio stations in the greater Dublin area at present. It is a misnomer therefore to talk about pace given that all that has happened is that the commission invited tenders during the course of the debate on the Broadcasting Bill last year. Nothing has happened since then.
As I said, the commission have informed me that they should be in a position within a matter of weeks to assess the findings of their studies and make a decision.
That disposes of questions for today.
