Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I agree with the other speakers. The existing system is a crude device and we need to give direction. The recent decision on the Trócaire advertisement that was taken off the airwaves brought the area into focus. People are concerned over how it is being interpreted. If we consider the divorce campaign of some years ago, which was a political issue, would the amendment open the broadcasting of advertising for that kind of matter? In the United States the pro-life and pro-choice debate is a major issue. Would the proposed amendment open the airwaves to such a debate and is there a problem with doing so? Would it permit the advertising of other issues that could be considered political, such as the treatment of animals etc.?

The amendment makes a genuine attempt to correct the balance following the recent decision. I do not believe the legislation was ever designed with that in mind. Unfortunately, broadcasters have made their interpretations of regulations in the past. Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 was mentioned earlier. Similarly, the broadcasting authority went beyond the legislation. It got to the stage where the restrictions did not merely apply to members of Sinn Féin. Before appearing on programmes some people were being asked whether they voted for or agree with the party, which was never the intention of the legislation. The broadcasting authority and individual broadcasters took it upon themselves to extend the scope of the legislation, which had a negative effect on society by not allowing people to make a choice for themselves.

The removal of the Trócaire advertisement on the basis that it was regarded as political has raised many issues. As other speakers have said, everything in life now is political. This is a serious attempt to move away from that crude interpretation.

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