asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the names of the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas who have appeared on Telefís Éireann from the opening of the Station up to the 25th January, and the political Parties of which they are members.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Appearances of Oireachtas Members.
104.
Radio Éireann itself arranges for the appearance of members of the Oireachtas on Telefís Éireann programmes where this is considered desirable. I would, therefore, suggest that the Deputy should address his inquiry to the Authority.
When the Bill establishing the Television Authority was going through here, the Minister said he would be responsible for answering questions relating to the work of the Authority. I am now asking the names of the members of the Oireachtas who have appeared on Telefís Éireann for the purpose of ascertaining how it is that there is a preponderance apparently of members of one Party on the Television show, while other Parties appear to have been neglected. I am sure that is a question the Minister ought to answer.
The Television Authority has not been too long in operation in the showing of pictures. I understand from the Authority that the controller of television programmes has had discussions with the three main political Parties regarding the participation of members of the Oireachtas in television programmes. I take it from that that this matter will be worked out between the members of the main Parties and the Authority itself. I would prefer to leave this matter to the Authority and not to interfere as Minister because I could be accused of undue influence towards the members of my Party.
If the Minister looks at the correspondence which has emanated from the Television Authority, he will find that the matter is not just as he has described it. The Labour Party are entitled to get the Authority to fix some proportion for the different Parties. We recognise that each Party is not entitled to the same number of speakers but we have asked the Television Authority to fix some proportion in relation to the different Parties. I attended a meeting last night at which a letter was read out from the features or programme officer saying he never heard of any proposal about fixing proportions, although the Minister knows that that has operated in the case of election and Budget broadcasts, and so on.
That is a long speech.
The sooner somebody in Telefís Éireann is brought into contact with the pattern which has been established in Radio Éireann, the better. We shall then avoid the situation in which Telefís Éireann now appears to be a branch of the Fianna Fáil Party.
That is not so. I have no knowledge of the detailed arrangements the Authority is making with the various Parties or with the three main Parties.
Will the Minister use his good influence to put this on a satisfactory basis?
I prefer to leave it to the Authority itself.
I shall come back again with more questions.