Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 8

Written Answers. - Television Programming.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

81 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his response to the recent political agreement by the European Commission on a review of the television without frontiers Directive which requires, where practicable, that 51 per cent of broadcast material be European-sourced; his views on whether there should be a temporary reduction in this quota requirement; the level of the reduction; when he anticipates that RTÉ will reach the aspirational 51 per cent quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19029/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Directive 89/552/EEC "Television without Frontiers" obliges member states to ensure that European broadcasters reserve for European works, where practicable, a majority proportion of their transmission time excluding news, sports events, games, advertising and teletext services. RTE devotes considerably more than a majority proportion of its transmission time to European works as defined by the Directive.

On 31 May 1995, the European Commission presented a proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive to amend the "Television without Frontiers" Directive. One of the main objectives of the Commission proposal was to clarify and add detail to the obligations placed on member states regarding the quota system. In particular it was proposed to delete the vague phrase "where practicable" which has hindered the effective application of the majority proportion quota in the various member states. I supported this proposal because I believe that a more effective application of the quota at its existing level is necessary in order to ensure that European broadcasters fulfil their obligations to the European programme production sector. The quota is an essential element of the audiovisual policy of the EU which has as its objective the development of a European audiovisual sector which can act as a cultural counterweight to its North American counterpart.

The Commission's proposal was considered by the Council of Ministers at meetings in June and November. At these meetings it became clear that those member states, including Ireland, which favoured a more effective application of the quota were in the minority. In fact a majority of the member states were in favour of abolishing the quota system in the short or medium-term. On 20 November the Council, subject to and pending the opinion of the European Parliament, agreed to leave the quota provisions of the Directive unchanged with provision for a further review of the quota system within five years. I reluctantly accepted this agreement in the light of the reality of the position within the Council.