Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very important that we acknowledge the role of independent broadcasters. We are not talking just about local radio but also about the independent television sector, which is an important service. I want to discuss inspections and complaints. My understanding is that the BAI can enter a broadcaster's premises and look at tapes and afterwards levy a fine. Maybe I am wrong. Does the same apply to RTE? Is there a level playing field when it comes to interfacing with the BAI?

In other words does the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland apply the same level of rigidity to RTE as to the IBI's members or do they feel that they are treated unfairly compared with the State broadcaster? There is no doubt that when I drive from Limerick to Dublin and listen to the way in which different morning programmes are conducted, there is a huge variance between the national broadcasters and the local ones. Following Deputy O'Mahony's comment about the amount of negativity, there is a lot of it and I wonder how that is managed, how is balance brought in while at the same time fact is reported?