Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will consider a statutory register of interests for broadcasters in future broadcasting legislation in view of concerns of viewers and listeners in relation to the reports of the supply to and free use of cars and other benefits by broadcasters engaged in current and public affairs and the massive salaries and rewards enjoyed by these broadcasters, often through their own companies, which subcontract their services to the national and other broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals are the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting, the establishment of RTE as a commercial company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003, the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee, and the development of the right of reply mechanism allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress speedily. It is intended that the single content regulator will combine the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the RTE authority.

With regard to the specific issue of requiring broadcasters to maintain a statutory register of interests, all aspects of broadcasting policy are being considered in the development of the legislative proposals. My intention is to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment continues to encourage the maintenance of high quality radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Thanks to the Evening Herald freedom of information request, we read last night that distinguished broadcasters such as Pat Kenny and Gerry Ryan earn upwards of €600,000 per annum and Ryan Tubridy earns upwards of €300,000 per annum. A number of other broadcasters and newscasters also earn very high salaries. What are described as high-profile newshounds on various news stations are also equally well remunerated.

Concerns have been raised by a number of viewers and listeners with my office regarding additional reports, in The Sunday Times I think, relating to the provision of free luxury cars for broadcasters. It was reported, for example, that Mr. Tubridy has the use of a Lexus IS200, Mr. Pat Kenny has the use of a BMW or has a relationship with BMW, Mr. Gerry Ryan has a relationship with the Mazda company and Ms Gráinne Seoige of Sky News Ireland has an association with Audi.

It seems important to me that the interests of commercial news broadcasters and people involved in the public domain of broadcasting who comment on national and international issues should be publicly known. I have the fifth edition of the RTE staff manual 2004 which states in section 2.16:

It is the clear and unalterable policy of RTE that no programme presenter — especially those who are involved in news and/or current affairs and related output — should be associated with commercial or other interests such that the audience's perception of their broadcasting role is or could be adversely affected. Thus, no involvement in advertising, no public association with specific projects or services, no availing of access to goods or services on preferential terms, no association with the promotion of goods or services will be permitted.

A few pages further on in the manual, section 4.9 states: "Broadcasters and performers engaged by RTE as independent contractors are not staff and are not covered by this manual." It seems, therefore, that the requirements for clarity and transparency are not clearly indicated in the manual.

Does the Minister intend to ensure in the broadcasting Bill that the interests, commercial or otherwise, of all commentators on public affairs, including ourselves, be declared? Listening to a current affairs programme last night — a programme I was on a few nights previously — I found it jarring that a publication of the presenter was advertised in the middle of his programme. Is that an area we need to examine?

I say to our distinguished print journalists, one of whom is present, that if they are commenting on public affairs, the same requirements for transparency as apply to us should apply to them and to news and current affairs broadcasters, including those who report so faithfully on our doings in this House. I would be grateful for the Minister's opinion on these concerns which have been transmitted to me by numerous constituents.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Much of the time many of us would be interested in where some journalists come from when they make comments about what we do in this House. However, the longer one is here, the more one learns and the more one understands where they are coming from.

The matter raised by the Deputy could be discussed during the course of the broadcasting Bill. The affairs of anybody involved in public life, particularly anybody being paid by the State with public service obligations of one kind or another, such as public representatives, should be open to public scrutiny in so far as they relate to the work they are doing.

There is a distinction in RTE between people who are employed by RTE and those who are contracted. Nobody has brought to my attention the fact that anybody has abused his or her position in that respect. It would be a major consideration if there was an abuse of position. There was a recent incident where someone was thought to be involved in a conflict of interest situation. I would be willing to discuss the matter with Deputy Broughan during the course of the broadcasting Bill. It would be useful to consider the issue. It is not a simple black and white issue. We must consider to whom it should apply and whether it should only apply to particular types of journalists or broadcasters and whether we would apply the same standards to a light current affairs programme as to a heavy news programme. There are issues we could discuss.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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It is important for the integrity of the broadcasting system and news media generally that we have full transparency across all areas. When does the Minister expect the broadcasting Bill to come to the House? Deputy Durkan and I are blue in the face asking about it. Broadcasting companies, including the national broadcaster, are always asking us about it. When will we sit down to work it out? Does the Minister intend introducing a regulator, such as Ofcom in the United Kingdom, that will take over from ComReg and have a wide remit? Ofcom has done excellent work in many areas for the British public in the area of broadcasting. Would we be well served if we had a similar regulator?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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That is being considered in the context of the Bill. Both Deputies have asked their question often, but they get a consistent answer. They do not need to ask it as often as they do. It will be published before the end of this year.