Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is one question. I would like the witnesses to address the statement that local radio stations are profitable. Every one is struggling, although they might appear to be surviving only because of their work ethos and method. They know they must survive on their own merits.

There is to be a new licensing system and people without a television must still have a licence because of the new structure. Anybody with common sense must believe that some of the extra revenue to be created should be given to the independent broadcasters. There is no reason they should not get some of it. If the authority is to be taken seriously against an argument that it is a mouthpiece for RTE - I accept the statements that the authority is not a mouthpiece for that broadcaster - the authority should indicate that if people pay the licence fee, some of it should go to independent stations because of the massive role they play in people's lives. If the independents are passing out the national broadcaster, it is not the fault of the independents that they are good at what they do.

I can see the battle that independent radio stations and broadcasters have with national broadcasters, and it reminds me of Independent politicians being up against the might of political parties. We are sort of-----