asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he proposes to establish a broadcasting council; if so, when; the precise functions that will be assigned to the council; and how it will relate to the RTE authorities.
Written Answers. - Broadcasting Council.
296.
In accordance with the Government's pre-election manifesto a Programme Advisory Council, strongly representative of single channel areas, will be established to advise the RTE Authority on the selection of programmes available from BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV and other external sources, for transmission on the second television channel. The council will be appointed by the RTE Authority, with the consent of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, under section 21 of the Broad-casting Authority Act, 1960, as amended by section 5 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976. Precise details have not yet been settled but it is expected that the council will be set up early in the new year.