Negotiations with RTÉ on Alcohol Ads
The Minister outlined his Department’s letter and meetings with RTÉ, which led to the Authority’s plan to phase out alcohol advertisements and tighten guidelines meanwhile. He had no indication that licence fees would rise; the Ceann Comhairle ruled the fee question separate.
asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of his discussions and negotiations with the RTE Authority in relation to the phasing out of alcoholic drink advertisements.
Comment on this
The Secretary of my Department wrote to the Director General of RTE in June of this year conveying my concern about the problems created by alcoholic drink advertisements on radio and television. Subsequently, meeting were held between senior officers of my Department and executives of RTE.
As the Deputy will be aware, RTE announced on 15 September their intention to phase out all alcoholic drink advertisements and, during such phasing out, to have stricter guidelines for these advertisements.
Comment on this
Can the Minister give any estimate of the amount by which TV licence fees will be increased?
Comment on this
I have no indication that the RTE licence fee will be increased. It is a rather peculiar question from the Deputy in view of the ostensible interest he displays here from time to time in health matters.
