andMr. J. Ryan asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the surveillance exercised by his Department to prevent the illegal operation of wireless apparatus; the number of personnel engaged in this work; and the number of prosecutions in the past year in respect of offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts.

: It would not be in the public interest to furnish the information sought in the first two parts of the question. Four prosecutions were brought against the operators of illegal broadcasting stations in the year ended 31 May 1978.

: Is a licence required to operate wireless apparatus for the purpose or pretext of security?

: I cannot answer that question. The only authority entitled to a broadcasting licence are RTE.