Publication and broadcast of price reports
O’Toole pressed for the October report and for regular public information on price changes; O’Malley said the report would be published shortly and defended the delay, while noting efforts to arrange broadcasts with RTÉ. Kelly asked whether the Minister could compel RTÉ to broadcast the information under section 31, which O’Malley considered inappropriate.
What proposals has the Minister in mind in respect of changes he might envisage in the format of the National Prices Commission? In the light of the stated policy of the Government regarding the full dissemination on a weekly basis of price changes and comparisons, has the Minister received the October report from the National Prices Commission? I should like to know why we have had only one report so far. For reasons that were explained at the time, the August and September reports were telescoped into one report which was published in early November. We have not yet received the October report and it is now early December.
Comment on this
The first supplementary was part of the original question and I answered that. Concerning the weekly dissemination, my Parliamentary Secretary had discussions with RTE with a view to having a programme on radio or television in which this information could be given but I understand that she did not meet with great success in that respect. So far as the November or October edition of the report is concerned——
Comment on this
I do not think it arises out of this question. In any event, I received it and it will be published at the normal time, which will be within ten days or a fortnight. The Deputy may not be aware that in the past it was three months or more before the publication of these reports, and there is no abnormal delay with the October report.
Comment on this
I am not talking about the past. The Minister in the past was very critical of the then Minister for the delay in the publication of these reports.
Comment on this
I should like to point out to the Minister that the assurance given did not depend on the co-operation of RTE. It was not given by RTE but by the Minister's party and in the light of that it is a very lame excuse to say that RTE will not co-operate. How does the Minister propose to disseminate this knowledge and live up to the expectations created?
Comment on this
I do not see that any of this arises out of Question No. 10. My Parliamentary Secretary's reason for approaching RTE is that, as far as I am aware, they are the only radio and television station broadcasting in this country and there is no other body that could be approached.
Comment on this
Yes, I will. In connection with his Parliamentary Secretary's efforts with RTE, did the Minister consider the power available to him under section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act which would entitle him to require RTE to broadcast this information, which his party promised, in the shape of a ministerial announcement?