asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if the Government proposes to sanction RTE's five-year development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Development Plan.
16.
(Dublin South-Central): RTE have not sought sanction for such a plan. From time to time, at the Department's request, they have furnished projections of of their expenditure for a number of years ahead but finance for the development of RTE will continue to be determined in the context of the annual public capital budget.
Has any decision been taken yet as to how the programmes for RTE 2 will be selected?
(Dublin South-Central): It is the intention of RTE, in keeping with our manifesto, to establish a programme council. That council is in the course of being established at this moment. The council will advise to a certain extent what kind of programmes would be suitable, especially for people in the single channel areas. There are certain changes taking place within RTE with regard to the control of programmes.
The Authority will set up a council to advise on what programmes should be selected. Is that what the Parliamentary Secretary means?
(Dublin South-Central): It is not envisaged it would have a say in the day-to-day working as regards the selection of programmes. It is envisaged the advice of the council will be heard from time to time if they are not satisfied with the type of programmes RTE are transmitting.
If that is so, then why did the Taoiseach prior to the election write to the multi-channel people and say that RTE 2 will have the best of BBC, ITV and other channels selected by a selection board outside the RTE Authority? Could I have an answer to that?
It is a separate question.
Excuse me, it is not.
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned the manifesto.
I presume the Taoiseach was speaking with the authority of his party when he wrote that.
Nothing the Parliamentary Secretary has said is in contradiction of that.
Indeed, it is. He said the council would be set up to advise.
No. That is what Deputy Barry said.
No, no. That is what the Parliamentary Secretary said. Prior to the election multi-channel viewers were told that there would be a selection board outside the control of the RTE Authority. That is now being gone back on.
This is a separate question. This is an argument now.
(Dublin South-Central): This is an progress at this particular moment.
Will the new body be outside the control of the RTE Authority?
(Dublin South-Central): There is scope within the existing legislation——
Wait and see.
Like the jobs—we are still waiting for them.
I hope we will not have to wait four-and-a-half years like we did under the Coalition Government.
That is a contemptuous reply to give to a quotation from the Fianna Fáil manifesto.
Deputy Barry tried to put words into the Parliamentary Secretary's mouth.
Will it be outside the control of the RTE Authority?
(Dublin South-Central): They are being established in conjunction with the Department and the RTE Authority.
Am I right in interpreting the original reply in relation to the RTE five-year plan as being an indication that the Parliamentary Secretary regards this plan as being merely a set of projections and that there is no intention or no way in which the Government propose to implement in toto the plan submitted by RTE?
(Dublin South-Central): I stated that from time to time the Department request projections from various semi-State bodies. This was done during the time of the Coalition Government. RTE gave projections at that time covering the period until 1983. These were never made out in proper detail. I can see the Authority's point of view; they tried to give projections for five years in relation to the broad spectrum of broadcasting, including local or community radio and the second TV channel.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will agree there is a vast distinction between a projection and a comprehensive plan, and will he agree that the RTE five-year plan was a comprehensive proposal, including projections? The projections are only part of a comprehensive plan. Is it not the clear message that the Government have no intention of seriously considering the RTE five-year plan?
(Dublin South-Central): Will the Deputy get his facts right? There were no detailed plans submitted to my Department. There were projections for the next five years.
Will this be a purely censorship body?
(Dublin South-Central): Certainly not. They will be an advisory authority. They will advise on programmes which will be acceptable to people in the single channel areas.
That, to my mind, is censorship.
I take it the Deputy is against the setting up of this council.
I am against the type of council that is being suggested.
Deputy O'Brien is against any kind of council.