Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation and thank it for the presentation. There is not a community in the country that is not extremely well served by the independent broadcasters or the local radio stations. Some excellent work is being done across the spectrum, from the social and economic side to the current affairs side. It has targeted a market, and if we were to analyse the listenership we would find such programming reflects the lives and concerns of people in urban and rural communities and the information they look for. Some 1,500 people are employed by the network and many of the local radio stations, to which I have spoken, are finding it extremely difficult to provide what is needed by the public and to generate revenue. The first thing people in that sector will ask is where the licence fee is going and how will the balance be struck.

It is important to state that society has to ensure that Independent Broadcasters of Ireland is there for the long haul and is supported in every way. It is now 24 years since the infrastructure was put in place to allow it develop. What is needed at this stage is a fundamental review. I note what has been said in respect of RTE and changing the terms of reference almost from a commercial to a State broadcaster. Inefficiencies were also mentioned. There is nobody in this committee or in society at large who is not screaming at the huge salaries paid by RTE while those at the lower end are losing their jobs.

If we were starting with a blank sheet and deciding on the best way forward for the 1,500 employees at the 34 stations, where should our energies be targeted to ensure that whatever proposals the committee recommends there is fair play for Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and survival for the stations. If any one of the stations was in difficulty in any part of the country there would be a huge outcry given the number of people, young and old, who are tuning in on different segments. As the witnesses pointed out, some of the programmes are targeting specific sectors of society. That must be encouraged. If there are one or two areas we should look at in depth to ensure the organisation continues to provide the excellent service being provided and continues to employ 1,500 people, perhaps the witnesses would elaborate on where we should go.