John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland delegation. Many of us have met them in recent years and realise the need for change, as in many other areas, and RTE probably recognises the need for change also. We all acknowledge that the face of Ireland has changed in the past 25 years in the area of broadcasting, particularly in local radio stations. Coming from Mayo, Midwest Radio is one of the top three local radio stations for the past 25 years. It is impossible to imagine an Ireland without local radio. It is about supporting that service and removing the obstacles that are impeding it, without impacting on the national broadcaster and the need to co-exist. I note the word "positivity" is used on three or four occasions in regard to what the organisation does. In other words, it reflects the good things that are happening in local areas whereas sometimes there is a suggestion, with which we would all agree, that at times if one listens to the national broadcaster throughout a full day one would almost be depressed because of the moaning and groaning. Sometimes coverage is given to extreme and negative issues. That is an area that RTE needs to address and we have told it that on a number of occasions. However, it must be recognised that RTE is going through a difficult phase at present.

The witnesses said they do not wish to impact on the national broadcaster and that there is a need for a publicly funded RTE as well as a publicly funded independent radio. Are they suggesting in regard to the new broadcasting charge that there is a very large broadcasting charge that can fund both? I would appreciate their comments on that issue. I acknowledge the huge salaries paid to a small percentage of broadcasters in RTE but that is an issue that RTE has to address. It was stated that revenues have dropped by 40%. One of the positive elements of local radio is that it employs 1,500 people. Has that impacted on employment? How many have had to be let go as a result of that reduction in revenue? Can a figure be put on it? While we criticise the huge salaries in RTE is there an issue of low wages in local radio stations for some of the 1,500? Is that an issue that needs to be addressed from within the local radio stations? I was aghast at the figures mentioned for Sound and Vision where I understand 80% goes back to RTE. I was aware it was entitled to pitch for it but I did not realise that 80% went back to RTE.