asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the Ballyfermot community television programme will shortly cease to operate because of conditions imposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Community TV.
51.
I am not so aware. The position is that about 12 months ago I approved the relay on the local cable system of programmes produced by the Ballyfermot Community Association subject to certain conditions. There has been no change in those conditions. Some time ago the association in common with a number of other community associations asked for permission to have their programmes relayed over a large area of Dublin city and suburbs and that the venture be financed by commercial advertising. I was not prepared to agree to this pending detailed conconsideration of its implications for the future of community television, which I was the first to encourage, and for Irish public service broadcasting. On hearing this, the cable company who had been providing production facilities for Ballyfermot Community Association announced that they were not prepared to continue to do so as from the end of April.
My Department pointed out to the firm in question that the notice given for cessation of production facilities—a little more than a month—was far too short to enable the question of alternative methods of servicing community television to be explored. The company have now intimated that they are prepared to continue to service community television but only on a modified and considerably less costly basis. I understand that a meeting between the interests concerned is being held on 30th April. I hope that these discussions will result in an acceptable solution.
52.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why, apart from the commercial aspect, the editorial rights of community associations which he has licensed to make television programmes are less than those conferred on ITV and BBC in respect of programmes on the cable system.
53.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the proposals, if any, he has to allow open cable television in the same way as he has allowed open broadcasting.
54.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) when the study group will be set up to examine community television (b) how the group will be selected (c) its terms of reference (d) when is it likely to report and (e) why he has waited so long to have the study group set up.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 52, 53 and 54 together.
I do not propose at present to allow open cable television if by that phrase the Deputy means permitting the wide distribution over cable networks of programmes produced by local community associations for their local areas.
No editorial rights have been conferred on ITV and BBC in this State. Licensed cable television operators are, of course, permitted to relay all television services which are available off air in the area they are serving.
Community television is still at the experimental stage. The present approved arrangements were settled on the basis that community programmes would be confined to programmes originated locally and acquired material of an educational and informational character only. The associations are required to comply with the same standards as regards objectivity and impartiality as RTE.
I hope to set up a study group soon to consider what research would be desirable in the field of community television, who should undertake such research and how it might be financed. The composition of the group has not been decided yet. I cannot say at this stage when a report can be expected. The Department had already carried out a certain amount of research, particularly in regard to developments in community television elsewhere. After it received the views of a number of community associations it consulted the Departments of Education and Local Government and the Dublin Corporation on the matter. Consideration of their replies indicated the desirability of setting up a special study group of the kind referred to above. Because of the recent request by the community associations for a radical change in the existing arrangements, I have decided to set up the study group and to ask them to report at an early date.