asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state in regard to the estimation of the loss attributed to Radio Éireann what charge in respect of the Radio Éireann Orchestra is included in this calculation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Estimated Radio Éireann Loss.
44.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra. I understand that the costs of this orchestra which were attributable to sound radio amounted to £105,700, approximately, in the year ended 31st March, 1965.
I do not think the Minister has met the question I have put down. Is it reasonable, when publishing the accounts of Radio Éireann or Telefís Éireann, to describe Radio Éireann as having experienced a serious deficiency in revenue when in fact Radio Éireann are carrying the entire cost of the Radio Éireann Orchestra, so called, which would be more properly described as a national orchestra? Would it not be more fitting to segregate the cost of the orchestra and allow the accounts of Radio Éireann to stand on their own so that the public might more correctly estimate the results of their operations?
There are two orchestras, the Light and the Symphony. It is not correct to say that the cost is entirely borne by sound radio. The costs are apportioned between television and sound radio.
Are not Radio Éireann distinct from Telefís Éireann? If the public are to be correctly informed as to the relative performances of the two organisations, would it not be more rational to show the cost of the orchestra apart from the actual accounts of Radio Éireann? If the cost were segregated, would it not be a fact that Radio Éireann made a profit on their operations?
Various suggestions have been made from time to time as to how the costs should be borne. The present method is possibly as good as any other. I do not think it would make any great difference if the cost of the orchestra were segregated in the accounts. Everybody assumes——
Everybody does not assume. Is the Minister aware that a great many people do not, and would the Minister not agree that it is discouraging to an organisation like Radio Éireann, who have exerted themselves during the past 12 months to get the best possible results for the State, that they have involved the Exchequer in a substantial loss when in fact on their own operations they have made a profit? Would it not be more satisfactory to allow that charge to be segregated so that when people work hard to make a success of an enterprise like Radio Éireann, they would have the satisfaction of having the results of their efforts presented to the public correctly?
Everybody is aware that they carry the cost of the Symphony Orchestra and everybody is very pleased. Somebody has got to pay the overall cost.
In fact Radio Éireann made a profit in the last 12 months if their operations had been accounted on the same basis as Telefís Éireann.
If the cost of the Symphony Orchestra had been deducted, Radio Éireann would still have made a loss.
If people are to take any satisfaction in their work, that is worth recording.