Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the reported Health Service Executive intention to boycott advertising on a radio station (detail supplied) due to the fact that the station is fulfilling its public service remit by raising health service issues of concern to its listeners and the public at large; her views on whether this is an abuse of public moneys in a democracy, tantamount to censorship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9350/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the reported Health Service Executive intention to boycott advertising (details supplied) purely because the station is fulfilling its public service remit by raising health service issues of concern to its listeners and the public at large; her views on whether this is an abuse of public moneys in a democracy, tantamount to censorship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9777/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 166 together.

Decisions taken by the HSE in relation to its communications strategy are matters for the Health Service Executive itself.

However, the issue raised by the Deputy is a matter which should be of much wider concern. The issue is one of standards in broadcasting and specifically whether it is acceptable practice for any individual to be phoned live on air and have their conversation broadcast without their consent.

The health services have always been the subject of a great deal of scrutiny and comment by the media and this is as it should be. However, in the past number of weeks, in a new departure for Irish broadcasting, it has been the policy of one radio station to telephone officials in my Department, the HSE and other Government Departments and broadcast officials live on air without prior warning or the consent of the individuals involved. I am aware that the Government Press Secretary met with management of the station involved and asked them to stop this practice, which staff feel amounts to intimidation. The radio station would not give any assurances that it intended to change its policy. I do not regard this practice as acceptable and it is now the subject of a number of complaints by officials of my Department and other Government Departments to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. Complaints have also been made in the matter to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.