Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

It would be worthwhile having a debate on the RTE Authority and the relevant legislation. We should bear in mind that section 18 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 states: "It shall be the duty of the Authority to secure that, when it broadcasts any information, news or feature which relates to matters of public controversy or is the subject of current public debate, the information, news or feature is presented objectively and impartially and without any expression of the Authority's own views".

As Members will be aware, we spend €190 million in television licence fees and we give €55 million per year from the social welfare budget to the RTE Authority. The director general, the chairman and the board of the RTE Authority should review the presentation of programmes. Deep concern has been expressed. It is in the national interest that RTE complies with the 1960 legislation and that we ensure impartiality and fair play in the presentation of facts and politics at this crucial stage.