Mr. Bob Collins:

On the issue of whether we have an input into the operational model of the public service broadcasters, under the law RTE and TG4 are specifically independent. We cannot determine what their schedules are or how they operate on a day-to-day basis. They set their own objectives and our task is to evaluate the extent to which they have met those commitments. We do not set the commitments for them. Irish law is different from the law in other European countries where there can be more prescriptive regulatory provisions in that respect.

That is not the case here. While RTE or TG4 do not need to seek the approval of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland per seif they wish to develop a new service, they need to give the authority an opportunity to indicate its view. Depending on the circumstances, the authority may undertake a public interest test regarding the proposed service and report its findings and recommendations to the Minister, who makes the decision in the last analysis.

Mr. O'Keeffe has responded to the point the Deputy made about local radio stations. I think the sound and vision fund has produced some excellent programmes. I strongly share the view that local radio stations could take more of that fund if they approached it more creatively and with greater regularity. While I am happy to see there has been some increase in their engagement, I think there is unrealised potential in the sound and vision fund. It is worth €14 million per annum, which is not a small amount of money. The local radio stations are independent and commercial. In the past, many of them have been traded for very significant sums of money. Many of them are still carrying the burden of those transactions on their balance sheets and their income and expenditure accounts. This is having a negative impact on them. In general, the local radio stations are profitable. They are not indicating in their applications for new licences that they will cease to be profitable. They have a special position. It is worth noting, in the context of the parallel with local newspapers that was drawn by the Deputy, that nobody else can set up a local radio station in their own area. We are strongly supportive of local radio stations and their role. As a regulatory body, however, we must be at a distance from everybody. We cannot act as cheerleaders for anybody. We take a detached and even-handed view. Our primary responsibility is to ensure the law is fulfilled and the needs of the audience are met. We absolutely share the view expressed by the Deputy about the potential of local radio stations and their capacity to work with others and on their own to create programme content.