Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Purcell, Mr. Collins, Mr. Williams and Ms Ní Choisdealbha. It is worth recognising that we regularly have representatives of the IBI before us and they do exceptionally good work on behalf of the independent group of local radio stations. It is nice to have them here to celebrate something.

It is rather rare for members, as public representatives, to invite the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, to a reception. As public representatives, they are normally invited to things and, consequently, it is probably in recognition of the work the IBI does that its members are guests of the joint committee on this occasion. I am certainly delighted to participate in its celebration of 25 years service. The stations with which I am most familiar do an exceptionally good job from my perspective. This is not to take from the national broadcaster in any way, but over 25 years the local sector has established itself with an integral mix of news, current affairs and entertainment programmes. I, for one, have never been able to differentiate where the public service remit of the national broadcaster ends and that of the independent sector begins. As far as I am concerned, there is a continuum of public service provided by both entities, if one takes the IBI's members as one. One need only consider the efforts made and the cost associated with the provision of sports coverage by the station with which I am most familiar, Clare FM. Every event possible is covered, which costs a lot of money. To me, that constitutes public service broadcasting at its best and the documentaries produced by local stations are what public service broadcasting is about. There are podcasts available, as well as material that protects and retains cultural identity in certain areas around some national pastimes. There are music and arts programmes all produced to a standard that is comparable with what one would receive from the national broadcaster. This comes at a huge cost that is not and could not be reflected within the sector's commercial remit.

The IBI has a challenge it regularly makes of members about how it can get a piece of the broadcasting charge. It is accepted and recognised that so doing would provide an additional flow of revenue. The joint committee previously heard presentations that appeared to suggest RTE would need more of it, if it was to enhance what it did. That is fine and I do not have a problem with it. RTE will need more money if it is to grow and develop as it should as a national broadcaster. However, I see no reason to believe the independent sector should not be entitled to its fair share of the charge in recognition of its work. The IBI should continue with its work and highlight as much as possible what the local stations do on the ground to preserve and protect communities' identity, which would never be preserved otherwise but which are preserved for eternity because of the work these stations do. This includes the development, recording and reporting of our sporting endeavours, as well as on news and current affairs which do not make it to the national headlines but which are so important to the listenership, often to a much greater extent than what emanates on a national level. Like Mr. Purcell, I would be deeply concerned if, ultimately, one only received syndicated news and content, albeit through local affiliates. Members know to where that ultimately would lead. It would be a regressive step and see us going full circle over 25 years. The point was to devolve effort to local entities and it would be both sad and regressive to see it go full circle. As legislators, members have a significant role in this regard. The IBI has recognised that it is the Minister's call to an extent and, undoubtedly, will be as robust in its presentation. Certainly, however, as a member of the joint committee, I will use every opportunity to preserve and protect the work of the IBI and lobby as hard as I can to ensure it gets a slice of that pie.