Vol. 433 No. 6
9 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether there is any structure in place for regular consultation between him, as Minister with responsibility for broadcasting, and the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Regular contact between officials of my Department and those of the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications is the norm and I consult my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications as necessary. This is the usual practice between Ministers and their officials where items of mutual interest arise or where decisions in one area of statutory responsibility can have consequences for another. There is no formal structure in place outside the standard Governmental consultation process and I do not see the need for one.
I have a particular interest in community TV, the Minister gave a specific commitment in Cork last February to have a thorough review of this area. In the context of the consultations which the Minister mentioned, what discussions took place in relation to community television with his colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from the point of view of implementing the commitment given by the Minister to review the issue in relation to community television?
I am glad to have the opportunity of clarifying the regular reference by Deputy O'Keeffe in this House to my "commitment". I appreciate his correcting himself today in this regard. As he said, I suggested I would review the position of community television. When I examine my fundamental broadcasting review — I am at the moment preparing fundamental broadcasting legislation that I hope will bring us into the next century — I will be looking at arrangements for local radio and television broadcasting. However, I wish to make a distinction between a broadcasting matter and a transmission matter. I believe the Deputy will be aware of the implications of that distinction.
I am glad to hear of the Minister's discussions with his colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. When he is again in communication with Minister Cowen on such matters will be point out to him that even as late as today, outside Leinster House, there are bus loads of people from my constituency and throughout County Cork pleading with him to——
The Deputy must not make a statement. This is Question Time.
Will the Minister bring the concern of the people at the gates of Leinster House to the attention of Minister Cowen? Will he reflect on commitments given before the election and demand action and a change of legislation from Minister Cowen to legalise a service that the people of County Cork have been enjoying for the past number of years?
I am aware of those who travelled from Cork and their representations have already been brought to my attention by many Deputies. I am very interested in their case. However, I make a distinction I have already made between matters of broadcasting and matters of transmission. If one uses the words "community broadcasting", the word "community" is very important. So far I have tried, through Teilifís na Gaeilge, for example, to address the issue of television community broadcasting. In promoting small companies who make and sell independent television productions to the national system I have recognised what can take place in this area. There is a distinction between the total product of such people, however, and a broadcast being retransmitted. I am well aware of the sensitivities of the people of Cork but I stress that I will concentrate on community broadcasting in its best sense and I will certainly bear in mind their feelings in this regard. If we are to have community television let us have it in its real sense.
Does the Minister not accept that in Cork last February, five months ago, he gave a commitment in relation to this controversy that he would conduct an extensive and thorough review of community television policy? In that context, does he not accept that five months later no such review has taken place, that in fact those involved in community television are having their television transmission disconnected or, alternatively, threatened with legal proceedings? As my colleague, Deputy Bradford, already stated they are now being forced to parade outside the gates of this institution in an attempt to have their voice heard. What is the Minister's response to that outrageous situation and what seems to be a blatant Pontius Pilate act on his part in that he has done nothing to comply with the commitment given by him in Cork last February?
I am disappointed Deputy O'Keeffe — with his experience — should resort to language of this kind. I suspect also that he knows very well the situation in this regard. Does the Deputy want me to interfere in the legal process? With his legal background I am sure he would not suggest such a thing but populism and taking advantage of it is something people cannot resist. The people of west Cork have a genuine grievance in that they want to make a case for community television. There is a distinction between transmission and the legal code that goes with it. People in this House should be able to draw the distinction between reviewing the needs of community broadcasting and television and honourably providing a genuine community television regime to communities. There is a distinction between that and requiring someone to rush like a bull in a china shop into something that is quite complicated, as the Deputy seems to suggest, but who perhaps has experience in such a strategy.
The Minister is splitting hairs. That is a disgraceful reply.
In regard to the formulation of broadcasting policy, has the Minister had any discussions with Minister Cowen or his Department with regard to the possibility of establishing a short wave radio service which would enable Irish emigrants scattered to the four corners of the world to keep in touch with events at home?
I believe this is the subject of another question.
If it is let us not have a discussion on it.
That question may not be reached.
Because of my desire to facilitate goodwill in this Chamber and lest I be misconstrued again, I have begun a review and have examined the detail of the various options to see what the possibilities and difficulties are in this regard. I will communicate with the Deputy.
I am pleased at the Minister's reply because it is different from the reply he gave me on the last occasion I put down this question.
Because I have carried out the review.
Can the Minister offer any hope to those people in the south west of this country and in the west who are having their television service withdrawn? Will this review, promised five months ago, produce any result which will enable community television, as they know it, to go back on the air?
We have now got to the nub of the matter as far as the Deputy is concerned. To enable this service to go back on the air it would be necessary to address the legal issues of transmission, which are a matter for my colleague in Government. I am discussing these matters with the Minister concerned, but I think the Deputy will appreciate that it is not a matter of the Minister with responsibility for broadcasting making a statement and ignoring the legal requirements of transmission. I know what is required by those seeking community television. I hope the structures that will be put in place in the broadcasting legislation will enable genuine community television to emerge. We have the capacity to provide community television that is of the community and from the community, not a service that is retransmitted.
We are not going to get much from the Minister.
