Radio and Television Act, 1988

Application of certain provisions of Part III to television programme service contract.

18.—(1) The provisions of Part III of this Act, other than sections 7 , 8 and 15 , relating to the powers, duties, functions, obligations and responsibilities of the Minister, the Commission and sound broadcasting contractors respectively, shall apply with respect to the television programme service contract entered into by the Commission and the television programme service provided under this Part, and any reference in Part III of this Act to a sound broadcasting contractor shall for the purposes of this Part be construed as a reference to the television programme service contractor.

(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1), section 9 (1) (c) shall not apply in the case of the television programme service provided under the television programme service contract.

(3) The Commission shall ensure that the television programme service provided under this Act shall in its programming—

(a) be responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, be mindful of the need for understanding and peace within the whole island of Ireland, ensure that the programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of the whole island of Ireland, and have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular for the Irish language;

(b) uphold the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, especially those relating to rightful liberty of expression;

(c) have regard to the need for the formation of public awareness and understanding of the values and traditions of countries other than the State, including in particular those of such countries which are members of the European Community; and

(d) includes a reasonable proportion of news and current affairs programmes;

and the television programme service contractor shall comply with any requirements of the Commission in respect of such matters.

(4) For the purpose of ensuring compliance with subsection (3) the Commission shall ensure that a reasonable proportion of the programme service—

(a) is produced in the State or in another Member State of the European Communities, and

(b) is devoted to original programme material produced therein by persons other than the contractor, his subsidiary, his parent or existing broadcasting organisations.