The Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, called on the Government to repeal Section 31 of the 1960 Broadcasting Act.

He said that before the order under the section banning members of his party from the airwaves was repealed, RTE had applied it in "the most wide-ranging way, not only against spokespersons of Sinn Fein, but against any person or group who expressed republican views".

Members of Sinn Fein could not be interviewed on any issue or subject, he added. "There are many incredible examples of how this was employed. We were rendered non-persons by this measure. Even songs and poetry, some of which were the works of nationally acclaimed artists, were targeted under the regime of government political censorship and media self-censorship." Mr O Caolain, who was speaking during the resumed debate on the Broadcasting Bill 1999, said he strongly opposed the inclusion of the powers under Section 31 in the new legislation. He added that he would table an amendment at committee stage to exclude this provision from the Bill. While there were currently no orders under Section 31 in force, the Bill retained in the hands of the Minister the power to ban anyone and anything from the airwaves at the stroke of a pen, he said.

"Contrast this to Section 24 (3) of the Bill, which allows the Minister to change the terms of reference of the Broadcasting Commission relating to public service broadcasting, but only after widespread consultation and the passing of a resolution in the Oireachtas. There are no such conditions attached to Section 31." Mr John Browne (FG, Carlow-Kilkenny) welcomed the removal on the levy on local radio under the Bill. "Local radio has done much in rural Ireland to keep the flag flying, making local news items available to listeners. I express sympathy with the producers in RTE who are getting a certain amount of stick because their listenership is gone down."