Ms Lisa Ní Choisdealbha:

One of the points about syndicated programming is that this is the one area we are trying to avoid. It happened in the UK. When stations became low in resources, they started taking programming from other areas. For example, all of the programming on Heart FM, whose motto was to have a heart in every town, comes from London. Whether one is listening in Manchester, Birmingham or London, one is hearing the exact same radio programme. That flies in the face of what local radio is in Ireland. It also contradicts the reason local radio is such a success. When Deputy Harrington listens in Cork to C103 FM, he knows what it broadcasts is relevant to him and his area. He does not want to hear someone broadcasting about issues in Donegal. We are looking for assistance to ensure local programmes can remain local.