Vol. 467 No. 5
7 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when the report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry will be published; and the timeframe, if any, he is setting for the implementation of its recommendations. [13659/96]
I received the report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry earlier this week. I intend to submit the report to Government and have it published at the earliest possible date. I am engaged in the necessary arrangements in this regard.
Many of the recommendations involve other Ministers. In the circumstances, while every consideration will be given to the recommendations as soon as possible, I am unable at this stage to intimate to the Deputy a timeframe within which implementation of those recommendations of the commission, which are considered appropriate, will take place.
Will the Minister accept that the newspaper industry faces its greatest threat from British imports and that, unlike other industries, we need to enhance the indigenous newspaper industry if we are to protect the social, cultural, economic and political aspects of Irish life? With that in mind, does he favour a reduction in the VAT rate on the cover price of newspapers so that Irish newspapers are in a better position to compete with their foreign counterparts?
We engaged a commission — we brought the best of talent to bear on it — which put together a very detailed and considered report. I will not offer my views on items of such importance. I intend to publish the commission's report and to address the recommendations in it. It would be inappropriate for me to go into detail on issues such as the threat of competition, the difficulties caused by electronic media, etc. All these issues are dealt with fully in the report.
When will it be published?
I hope to make it available as soon as possible.
We are dealing with priority questions and it is very disappointing that the Minister does not want to give his views on this issue. There is no point in putting down questions if the Minister will not give his views on fundamental matters which affect his Department. Ministers devise policies and too much of this Government's time has been taken up considering reports, many of which are shelved. The Minister will not give me his views on VAT rates and I cannot ask about a report which has not been published — I know he will not tell me anyway — but perhaps I could inquire when it will be published. Will the Minister say whether it remains Government policy, as enunciated by the Minister for Finance, to provide a State printing press?
Deputy Harney is raising all sorts of questions not incorporated in that tabled. There is no policy of which I am aware to establish a State printing press. The Deputy inquired when the report will be published. I will be bringing it to Government at the earliest opportunity — I am very keen to have it published — and expect it will be within weeks. It is not to belittle its importance that I do not offer a view off the cuff on the issue of competition within the industry, but such a view would prejudge the debate. It is only fair and correct that, having commissioned a detailed study on the subject, I should first take the trouble to go through its recommendations carefully before offering a considered opinion on behalf of the Government. That is only fair and right. We formed a very good team that engaged in an enormous amount of work under the former Chief Justice, Mr. Thomas Finlay. That is the reason I will not offer personal views. I will study its recommendations carefully and consider them with my Cabinet colleagues.
Has the committee produced a comprehensive report and is the Minister satisfied with it? How many recommendations did the committee make for changes within this industry?
The commission made recommendations running into some tens and twenties — I have not engaged in a count but there are probably about 20 specific recommendations — in addition to nuances surrounding others.
Is the Minister satisfied that the report is comprehensive and that the Government will be able to adopt it in its entirety?
There has been a lot of work put into the preparation of this report but, because its recommendations will span a number of Departments, each Department will have to assess the implications of their implementation. We have an excellent report prepared by the committee which has addressed all of the issues requested, affording plenty of scope for further work in the implementation of its recommendations.
Will the Minister inform us before it is leaked to the media?
