asked the Minister for Communications when the proposed Independent Local Radio Authority will be in operation and in a position to issue licences.

8.

asked the Minister for Communications the estimated cost of establishing the Independent Local Radio Authority; the estimated annual cost; and if he has included this cost in estimates for 1985.

9.

asked the Minister for Communications if his Department have obtained premises for the Independent Local Radio Authority; the location of these premises; and the cost of rental or purchase.

10.

asked the Minister for Communications if he will estimate the total number of independent local radio stations to be established under proposed legislation.

11.

asked the Minister for Communications if he will approve the establishment of an independent local radio news and sports service to cater for independent local radio stations.

12.

asked the Minisster for Communications if his plans for local radio will allow local authorities to apply for licences to the Independent Local Radio Authority.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 together.

It would not be appropriate, in advance of legislation, to make provision in the Estimates for an independent authority but the Deputy will appreciate that this would not prevent the Authority from being established in the current year. Neither have premises been acquired. As I indicated some time ago my intention is that the Authority's headquarters should be in Cork, but it will be a matter for the Authority to acquire whatever premises they need.

As many of the Deputies' questions anticipate the legislation about to be introduced, it would be better to wait until the legislation is before the House before I answer these questions.

I should be entitled to a few supplementaries on this number of questions.

Will the Deputy deal with one first?