andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether politicians other than those who belong to the three major Parties are excluded from the use of Telefís Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appearances of Politicians on Telefís Éireann.
87.
I have no function in the matter of the appearance of members of the Oireachtas on Telefís Éireann. I understand from the Authority, however, that the answer is no.
What about what the Minister said last week?
I said last week that consulation was going on between the Broadcasting Authority and the three main Parties.
Surely that means it is intended to restrict the use of Telefís Éireann to the three main Parties?
I have said in the reply I have just read out that the answer is "no", that it is not the intention to exclude any Deputy from appearing.
There was a Teachta Dála on Telefís Éireann last week.
Two different issues are involved. Can the Minister say why it is restricted to the three major Parties?
I am not able to answer that; it is a matter for the Authority. The Authority will make its own arrangement in relation to appearances by anybody on Telefís Éireann.
Then the Minister is accepting that the use of Telefís Éireann is restricted to the three major Parties?
No, I am not accepting that.
Only on municipal matters.
Will the Minister say it is up to the three major Parties to make their own representations to Telefís Éireann?
They can do that, if they wish.
Is it not a fact that on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, and on other Committees that concern all members of the House, representation is given in proportion to the size of the various Parties in the House, even to the smallest group in it? Surely, in view of that situation in this House, it would be no harm to suggest to Telefís Éireann that they could learn from it?
That is one way of arriving at an arrangement. There are other ways.