Dáil Éireann - Volume 503 - 20 April, 1999

Written Answers. - Broadcasting Service.

450. Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to increase the hours of RTÉ local radio in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9863/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera): The position is that section 19 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, as amended by section 14(1) of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976, provides that the number of hours per year of broadcasting by RTE in providing its television service and its sound broadcasting service shall neither exceed a maximum nor be less than a minimum fixed by RTE, with the approval of the Minister, for that service.

I have no current request from the RTE Authority seeking my approval to extend the number of hours broadcast by RTE Radio Cork.