Referendum Act, 1998

Advertisements etc., by Commission.

5.—(1) Section 20 (4) of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960 , and section 10 (3) of the Radio and Television Act, 1988 , shall not apply to advertisements broadcast at the request of the Commission in relation to a matter referred to in section 3 concerning the referendum.

(2) The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, if so requested by the Commission following consultation by the Commission with Radio Telefís Éireann (“the Authority”) and consideration of any proposals of the Authority for broadcasts in connection with the referendum that it communicates to the Commission, shall direct the Authority in writing to allocate broadcasting time to facilitate the Commission in performing its functions, and the Authority shall comply with a direction under this subsection.

(3) The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, if so requested by the Commission following consultation by the Commission with An Coimisiún Um Radio agus Telefís Neamhspleách—The Independent Radio and Television Commission (“the Independent Commission”) and consideration of any proposals of the Independent Commission for broadcasts in connection with the referendum by sound broadcasting contractors or television programme service contractors that it communicates to the Commission, shall direct the Independent Commission in writing to arrange for the provision for and on behalf of the Commission of services (with or without charge) including the allocation of broadcasting time to facilitate the Commission in performing its functions, and the Independent Commission shall comply with a direction under this subsection.