RTE to seek removal of radio ad limits

RTÉ is to seek the removal of radio advertising limits introduced by the disgraced former minister Mr Ray Burke, following the publication of the Flood tribunal interim report.

The station, which was found to have suffered financially as a result of Mr Burke's "corrupt" promotion of private sector interests, is due to lobby the Government to seek redress for distortions in the broadcasting industry.

These include Mr Burke's limiting of RTÉ's radio advertising to 7½ minutes per hour, compared to nine minutes on commercial radio - a limit which remains in place and is regarded as unfair by RTÉ.

The station is also due to encourage the Government to put it on a secure financial footing, independent of ministerial influence, in light of the report.

RTÉ's group of unions said last night it was taking legal advice on whether it would demand compensation for members who lost their jobs as a result of Mr Burke's introduction of a loss-making RTÉ advertising cap in 1990.

Mr Dónall Ó Braonáin, the group's secretary, said: "We will be looking at whether it will be possible to pursue the principals in the matter for compensation."

The 15-month cap was estimated to have cost RTÉ 200 jobs and at least £18 million.

Sources within the company said it was unlikely that RTÉ would seek direct compensation for such losses, but would rather focus on the future development of the station. In particular, RTÉ is expected to use the report to strengthen its argument for a new broadcasting authority, as recommended by the Forum on Broadcasting last month.

The report noted that neither Mr Burke's decision to introduce the cap, nor his directive obliging RTÉ to provide facilities to Century Radio, the promoters of which made a "corrupt" payment to him of £35,000 in 1989, served the public interest.

RTÉ declined yesterday to comment on the report other than saying it was "very pleased that our position [on the Century issue] was accepted by the tribunal in full." The station is engaged in discussions with the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, about the implementation of the forum's recommendations.

The National Union of Journalists' Irish secretary, Mr Séamus Dooley, saidMr Burke should not be "scapegoated" in the matter. "The witch-hunt would be entertaining but I think it's more important that we learn lessons from this. There are members of the current Government who served alongside Mr Burke and I would particularly like them to exercise their consciences."