Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Pay Per View Television.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

120 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on pay per view television; his further views on whether the growth of pay per view is a threat to the widespread access to major national and international television; the proposals, if any, he has to limit the capacity of pay per view promoters to cherry pick events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4863/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question from Deputy Nealon on 28 November 1995 — Question No. 61 on columns 1644-5 of the Official Report of that day.

As I indicated in that reply, the question raised by the Deputy is one which I will address as I develop firm proposals for legislative change. However, any changes in legislation would have to respect the constitutional rights of the organisations concerned.