Vol. 414 No. 2
2 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether he will now, as a matter of urgency, initiate the preparation of a White Paper on the development of media policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
3 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will issue a White Paper on the future of broadcasting and telecommunications prior to the introduction of any new legislation on broadcasting or initiatives to privatise part or all of publicly owned broadcasting or telecommunications services.
28 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he intends to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a national news agency; if he will outline (1) his plans in this regard; and (2) the role he sees for such an agency; whether such an agency would be privately or publicly owned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 28 together.
I refer the Deputies to my response in this House on 5 November, columns 16 and 17, of the Official Report, when I explained that in my formal review of the operation of the Broadcasting Act, 1990, I had consulted with all relevant interests including representatives of the independent radio sector and the print media.
The concerns of independent radio operators including their concerns in relation to news and current affairs coverage were some of the many issues considered during the course of the review. My review addresses the problems of the independent radio sector in relation to the supply of national and international news.
The review has been completed and is currently being studied by Government. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on consequent legislative changes as soon as possible.
I do not propose to issue a White Paper on Broadcasting. Over the past six months I have been engaged in discussions with all of the interested parties. I have met RTE, the Independent Radio and Television Commission, the National Newspapers of Ireland, TV3 Consortium, Century, local radio interests, film makers of Ireland, the advertising industry and the major advertisers. I have received submissions from many parties. There has been a public debate in the press, and on radio and television. The purpose of a White Paper is to stimulate debate and it is evident that a very full debate has taken place on broadcasting. Further opportunity for debate will arise in the Dail and Seanad when the proposed legislation is introduced.
My review has taken account of developments elsewhere in Europe and I intend to publish this review as soon as possible. Based on my review and on nearly all of the representations I have received I am convinced that action must be taken.
In relation to the portion of the question on the telecommunications sector, there are no proposals under consideration at the moment for the sale of shares in Telecom Éireann or for its privatisation in any other manner. Accordingly, the question of a White Paper on this matter does not arise.
I thank the Minister for his long reply which I suspect he will have reason to regret but I will let that be on his head for the future. Did the Minister notice that I used the phrase "media policy" rather than broadcasting policy to emphasise that one section of media policy cannot be separated from other sections and that one section cannot be judged in isolation? In view of the complexity of this matter and the very many fundamental questions which arise, such as monopoly versus competition, the use of public money for commercial purposes, alternative news agencies and so on would the Minister, even at this late stage, consider that a White Paper would be the way forward because it is becoming utterly impossible to get an impartial view of these matters from all the biased sources who are putting forward their vested interests?
I have no doubt that even after 20 White Papers it would still be difficult to make up one's mind, that is what I am in the process of doing. That is the job of Government. When you talk to all the interested parties I agree it is difficult to come to a conclusion because you will hear one thing one day and another the next. It is a very difficult and complex subject. If I were sitting on the Opposition benches I would probably be looking for a White Paper too, but I am not.
Not yet.
I have to take some action in this area and I propose to do so as soon as is practicable. Incidentally, the purpose of a White Paper is to stimulate some discussion publicly. I am sure it did not go unnoticed by the Deputy that in the past month alone there have been 14 editorials on the subject of broadcasting and, indeed, one newspaper group has had six editorials in seven days on the subject. Maastricht has not got a fraction of that coverage.
Whose fault is that?
In terms of public debate and coverage six editorials in seven days is an indication of how strongly some interests feel about the matter. There is plenty of public debate. It is difficult for the Deputy's party to come to any conclusion on this matter because of the various approaches and complex issues being put to them. For my part, I have to come to some conclusion and I propose to do that.
I am calling Deputy Toddy O'Sullivan.
Presumably I will get another chance.
Sorry, Deputy, I am calling Deputy O'Sullivan whose Question No. 3 refers.
Bearing in mind the Minister's reply that he had discussions with all interested parties would he not think the proper course would be to introduce a White Paper to enable Members of this House to discuss the future of broadcasting in view of the fact that present legislation is a creature of this Parliament? We should be allowed an opportunity to try to unscramble what has been put before us. Does he not think that the fact that this topic has been the subject of many editorials is a fair indication that there is concern outside as to the way broadcasting is going in this country?
The debate has been going on for three years. I do not want to be in any way provocative but I get the feeling that those people seeking a White Paper are simply afraid to come to some conclusion on the very tricky issues, both politically and broadcasting wise, which are before all of us in the broadcasting area. I have four clear objectives on broadcasting. I want to make sure RTE are strong, I want to ensure that the independent privately owned broadcasting sector can progress and develop, I want to ensure that the newspaper industry is protected because it has its own difficulties with imports and that the independent production sector gets some additional work because there are good employment prospects in that area. I have four clear objectives for broadcasting and I would not mind hearing some objectives from the other side of the House.
I will hear a brief final question from Deputy Currie, and then call Deputy Today O'Sullivan.
I deplore the fact that the Minister has tried to turn this into a party political issue. I was trying to avoid that. I would have thought that the Minister would be the last person to do that in view of the absolute shambles we have as a result of Government policy. The Minister referred to the number of editorials coming from one particular source. There have been others. Will the Minister agree that this does not underline public discussion on the issue but represents a biased view of the issue? A vested interest is pushing strongly——
The Deputy is making statements rather than asking questions.
Will the Minister agree that is not just the print media who have a vested interest? We cannot have an impartial view from RTE, from local radio or from any source because of the vested interests. This is a good reason——
I asked for brevity.
——for producing a White Paper so that we can calculate matters properly. I am not trying to avoid the issues.
If I published a White Paper I do not think anybody in the House would regard it as being unbiased. It would be seen as my views and the Government's views.
The Minister could outline the options and they are many.
I am calling Deputy O'Sullivan for a final question.
The Deputy knows the options.
With regard to Telecom Éireann, I am glad the Minister said it is not proposed to privatise Telecom Éireann. If at a later date such proposals are prepared or contemplated will the Minister ensure they are brought before the House to allay any fears arising from the recent controversial activities of Telecom Éireann which are now the subject of public debate? On another aspect of broadcasting, will the Minister make the RTE news network available to local radio stations until such time as the Independent Radio and Television Commission have secured an alternative source?
Any proposals to privatise or partly privatise Telecom Éireann would have to come before the House. If that happened there would be a full opportunity for discussion. I understand from the Independent Radio and Television Commission that they are attempting to make arrangements for a newsfeed for local stations at the moment. I wish them every success in that.
From RTE?
Not necessarily.
