Síle de Valera
Question:2 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when he intends to publish a Green Paper on broadcasting. [4519/95]
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Green Paper on Broadcasting.
Michael P. Kitt
Question:6 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when he proposes to publish a Green Paper on broadcasting. [2193/95]
Pat Upton
Question:12 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will introduce legislation to change the levy imposed by the Independent Radio and Television Commission on local radion from a fixed scale to a sliding scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4621/95]
17. D'fhialfraigh
den Aire Ealaíon. Cultúir agus Gaeltachta cad iad go díreach pleananna an Aire d'Údarás Theilifís na Gaeilge i gcomhthéacs an phlean nua atá á fhorbairt aige do Radio Telefís Éireann. [4719/95]
Tony Killeen
Question:24 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that the service currently provided by the independent radio sector can be sustained without financial support from the public sector. [2145/95]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 2, 6, 12, 17 agus 24 le chéile.
My commitment to publish a Green Paper on broadcasting is reiterated in the policy agreement, A Government of Renewal. I circulated a draft of the Green Paper to my Cabinet colleagues for their observations recently. I hope to formally present it to government shortly, prior to publication. The purpose of the document will be to stimulate debate on the relevance and adequacy of the current broadcasting legislation and structures in today's highly competitive broadcasting environment so as to ensure that Irish broadcasting services remain the preferred choice of Irish viewers and listeners into the next century. The funding of commerical and community radio services and the role of the Independent Radio and Television Commission will be issues addressed in the Green Paper. Chomh maith leis sin, díreofar ar na struchtúir buan is cuí do Theilifís na Gaeilge. Following the consultative period — which will follow publication of the Green Paper — I will develop appropriate legislative proposals.
On the current situation regarding the funding of commercial radio services, I would remind Deputies that the operators of such services took their decisions on the basis of their commercial judgement that such services would be profitable.
Can the Minister explain why there would appear to be a delay in publication of the Green Paper on broadcasting since we read in the newspapers at end January that it would be available within weeks? We are now into March and I hope there will be no further delay. Is the Minister in a position to inform us also of the duration of the consultative period — given that we are all aware that the Green Paper will express a general point of view only — since it would be interesting to know when that will be published to be followed, in turn, by a White Paper. From whom has the Minister sought submissions to date?
I was at a very advanced stage in the preparation of the Green Paper on broadcasting when I left office in November last and resumed work thereon when I retunred to this position in December last. Members will see there was a loss of time; indeed, it might be in everybody's interests not to probe too deeply into what went on in the interim.
We would like to know all about it.
I foresee the publication and circulation of the Green Paper taking place in a matter of weeks. To answer the Deputy's second reasonable question, I envisage the period of discussion continuing to the end of the summer.
will the Minister inform us of the time allotted to the interval between the publication of the Green and White Papers?
I envisage the discussion period running from the date of publication of the Green Paper to the end of summer; let me be more definite and say, by 1 September next. In the meantime, there will be an opportunity for anybody who wishes to comment thereon. In order to furnish the Deputy with the greatest amount of information possible at this stage, I should say the Green Paper will not be expressing proposals in general terms but will seek to elicit options and, where possible, indicate some preferences. Then the discussion period will evolve, after which there will be an interval to allow for response and preparation of the relevant legislation.
From whom did the Minister seek submissions.
The Deputy will be aware that usually it is in the period following on the publication of a Green Paper the most forthright submissions are made. Submissions were made by various organisations which were aware that I was in the process of preparing a Green Paper and those were taken into account.
Will it be published before Easter?
Ceist 3. I am sorry I cannot entertain the Deputy now as we are dealing with Priority Questions.
Has the Chair taken account that two questions not nominated for priority, Questions Nos. 6 and 12, have been taken with Question No. 2?
That may be so Deputy, but the same rule applies.