Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to lift the current ban on political advertising on radio and television (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22087/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to introduce proposals to amend the existing legislative provisions, which prohibit political advertising on radio and television services. The ban on political advertising is contained in a short provision that also bans religious advertising along with advertising related to an industrial dispute. In 2003 my predecessor conducted a review of the ban on religious advertising and decided the ban should remain. Having regard to the potential intrusive nature of advertising on radio and television, which is different from other forms of advertising, it was considered that it was not desirable for individual groups to be in a position to buy air-time to deliver an unchallenged message that is aimed at influencing and altering behaviour in society in circumstances where it is difficult for the public to test or verify positions advanced. I am of the view that this line of argumentation is also valid in the case of political advertising. The report on the review of the ban on religious advertising is available on my Department's website.

Radio and television programmes offer many opportunities for those interested in politics to explore, question and debate issues that are important in Irish society. I believe that it is healthy that such discussions and debate should be conducted on our airwaves in an open and challenging fashion.