Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 5

Written Answers. - Broadcasting Legislation.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

66 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to initiate new legislation or amend the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, in the aftermath of the recent court decision on the allocation of broadcasting time by RTE during referenda and the subsequent indications that this might affect future RTE policy towards party political broadcasts. [2918/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I have no plans at present to introduce legislative amendments arising from the recent Supreme Court decision in relation to the allocation of broadcasting time by RTE to party political broadcasts or other uncontested broadcasts during the course of a referenda campaign.

It is a matter for the RTE Authority to interpret the decision and apply the law with regard to future referenda.