Radio licence not properly planned, Flood hears

Former Fianna Fáil minister Mr Ray Burke has today denied discussing plans for a national independent radio franchise with former director of Century Radio, Mr Oliver Barry, before it was passed by the Government.

Ray Burke

Counsel for the tribunal, Mr Pat Hanratty SC, told the tribunal this afternoon that Mr Barry, broadcaster Mr Gay Byrne and others had discussed the national franchise on November 6th 1987, ten days before it was formally passed by the Government.

He questioned Mr Burke as to how his “personal friend”, Mr Barry, might have known about the proposed licence. But Mr Burke said Mr Barry hadn’t found out from him because he had “never discussed it with him”.

The tribunal also heard that the 1987 Government brought in the national radio licence, which led to the establishment of Century Radio,despite objections from RTÉ, as they were determined to "govern and would not be dictated to".

Mr Burke claimed that protests from RTE had prevented similar plans by the previous Government for increased competition in the broadcast sector, and said his Government “wasn’t going to take that sort of dictation”.

Mr Burke was answering questions as to why he had brought in legislation which provided for the national licence without the research and advice of the Civil Service.

Mr Justice Flood said he had a problem understanding why the Government went ahead with the implementation of the licence "without prior inquiry and planning" and said the Government acted "for their own reasons and didn't take anyone's advice".

I thought they [RTE] were doing an excellent job but thought the time had come for competition Ray Burke

Mr Burke said the decision to proceed with the licence was a Government one and had not been made by him personally.

"It was very much a political decision by the Government", he said.

He added that despite objections from RTÉ , it was the view of the Government that it was time for an alternative within the electronic news media.

Mr Burke insisted the decision was not an attack on RTE and said: "I thought they [RTÉ] were doing an excellent job but thought the time had come for competition".

Referring to TV3 and Today FM, he added he was "very proud" that the measure to introduce the licence had proved a success.