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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Eastern Region Unemployment.

Today Tonight Broadcasting Act Complaint

Summary

Enright alleged that the previous night’s Today Tonight programme breached section 31 of the Broadcasting Act and that another breach was imminent. The Chair said he had disallowed Enright’s Private Notice Question and would not permit the ruling to be challenged in the House, but would communicate with him.

In regard to last night's "Today Tonight" programme——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I want to make the Chair's decision very clear.

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Will you bear with me for a minute?

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

No.

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I want to refer to section 31 of the Broadcasting Act which was breached in last night's "Today Tonight" programme and it will be breached again tonight——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Please resume your seat. Deputy Enright did me the courtesy of conveying to me the matter he was going to raise. You put down a Private Notice Question on section 31 of the Broadcasting Act and last night's "Today Tonight" programme. I ruled it out of order for private notice. Just as I told Deputy Reynolds, I am sorry but I cannot have a decision of mine questioned in the House. To put it bluntly, I cannot make fish of one and flesh of another. I am sorry but I cannot hear you on this subject. Like Deputy Reynolds, you are welcome to come to my office.

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I do not want you to make any type of meal of us, but under Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 1983——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

You are out of order.

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Last night's programme was out of order and tonight's programme too will be out of order——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Deputy Enright is ignoring the Chair.

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I do not wish to do so——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

You are doing it. I am moving to the next business.

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It is my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I will communicate with the Deputy.

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——because I am concerned about a breach of the Broadcasting Act and the Statutory Instrument. This is a very serious matter.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

As I said, I will communicate with the Deputy.

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