d'Aire Cumarsáide cad iad na pleananna atá aige chun córas teilifíse dá gcuid féin a chur ar fáil do na Gaeltachtaí.
26. D'fhiafraigh
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stáisiún Teilifíse Gaeltachta.
11. D'fhiafraigh
d'Aire Cumarsáide an bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Rialtas stáisiún teilifíse Gaeltachta a bhunú nó an bhfuil an cheist á scrúdú faoi láthair, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
27. D'fhiafraigh
d'Aire Cumarsáide céard atá beartaithe aige le Teilifís Gaeltachta a bhunú agus an bhfuil sé ar aigne aige chuige sin, glacadh leis na moltaí sa Tuarascáil Idir-Ranna a rinne staidéar ar an gceist seo.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11,26 and 27 together. I would not be competent to respond in Irish and as I do not wish to inadvertently mislead the House I will reply in English. Copies of the Irish text will be available in the Dáil office for Deputies.
As the Taoiseach indicated on a visit to Connemara in recent days, while we would be anxious to see an Irish language television service for the Gaeltachtaí as soon as possible, this matter will have to be considered in the context of all the other priority demands which are seeking Exchequer funding. In addition account must be taken of the fact that this matter, together with other issues relating to Irish language programming on the television services, has been under examination by a working group established by the former Minister for the Gaeltacht in conjunction with my predecessor. I understand that the work of that group has just been completed and that they will be submitting their report to the Minister for the Gaeltacht and myself very shortly. I expect that there will be important recommendations in that report relating to the whole question of a separate Irish language television service or a separate service for the Gaeltachtaí and in these circumstances I believe it would be preferable to take account of these recommendations before any definitive decisions are taken in the matter.
Toisc nach dteast-aíonn uaim bheith droch-bhéasach, labhróidh mé i mBéarla. Does the Minister favour an extension of television in Irish or an initial service of television for the Gaeltacht? In which direction is he thinking?
I would prefer to wait for the report of the working group. I understand from my briefing material that both questions are being dealt with in great detail in the working group's studies. I suggest to the Deputy that if he puts down a further question I will be in a position to reply to him.
Does the Minister agree that it was envisaged when RTE 2 was established that a significant percentage of the time available to that channel would be devoted to the Irish language? Even though that station has now been established for a number of years very little time is given to Irish and there are very few programmes in Irish. Would the Minister instruct RTE to devote more time at least on RTE 2 to Irish language programmes to facilitate Irish language speakers particularly those in Gaeltacht areas. In Wales there is a full channel in Welsh.
I will pass on the Deputy's views to RTE in relation to the allocation of time on RTE 2. Regarding Wales it might be interesting to note that the Welsh language station transmits about 22 hours of Welsh language programmes per week. It cost £32 million to run in 1985-86. That will give some idea of the size and scale of the problem. The Deputy can be assured that I, like other members in the House, want to see more programmes and better quality ones, in the native tongue.
Is oth liom bheith déanach don fhreagra. De réir mar is eol dom, dúirt an tÁire go bhfuil a working group ag obair ar an gceist seo. What are the Minister's intentions with regard to the working group? Has he any idea when they might issue their report? What are their terms of reference? Has the Minister inquired if funds are available from the EC for assistance for minority languages for projects such as the establishment of Telefís na Gaeltachta?
The answer I gave was that the working group are just completing their work and will report back shortly. The terms of reference were (1) what would constitute a satisfactory range of programmes in Irish in the absence of a dedicated Irish language service in terms of content and output having regard to RTE's objectives and achievements; (2) the technical, financial and other implications including the effects on RTE's other television output and advertising revenue of providing such a range of programming using the existing facilities of RTE; and (3) the technical, financial, programming and other implications of providing an all-Irish language television service. I will follow up the question of EC funds.
Are there any figures available which would indicate the Radio na Gaeltachta listnership. If there are and should they indicate that very few people listen to an all Irish channel whether on radio or television, would a better and cheaper course not be for more Irish programmes to be produced and carried on channels 1 and 2? One of the aims of RTE is to have more Irish programmes on both stations. Will the Minister give some impetus to that objective?
The first part of the question relates to the work carried out by the working group and I await the outcome of their report. In relation to the question of increasing the output on RTE, I will bring that to the attention of the authority.
In his recent statement in this regard the Taoiseach seemed to accept that beyond the issue of cost there was an issue of rights involved. Will the Minister assure me that in coming to his decision he will bear in mind the rights of the people of the Gaeltacht to have access to the normal means of communication in both mediums?
Of course.
When does the Minister expect the report to be available? In a parliamentary question last year it was stated that it would be available at the end of last year.
Very shortly.