Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. This is an area that, as legislators, we have not discussed enough. For years the only operators in this area were RTE, various local radio stations and Sky TV. The message from citizens as we develop alternative ways of communicating and listen more to what they are saying is that there is a gap in communications. Citizens believe they not alone have the ability but also the right to contribute to and be part of that communications process and I agree with them.

It is great to hear the perspectives of three groups. I was impressed to hear the CRAOL representatives say community radio stations could not be bought or sold. On their not having playlists and, as such, more Irish content, perhaps the delegates might elaborate on this and, in terms of the stations being community based, the mechanism that is used by communities to influence their policies, direction and programme content. In the absence of a group of shareholders or directors, how does the community influence these choices?

Reference was made to the potential scope for expansion of local community radio stations. This might scare the Government a little because it likes to know what it is getting into and, particularly, what will be the financial consequences of its becoming involved in things. Has any thought been given to what would be reasonable scope for community radio stations and the level of funding that would be required to sustain this?

My final question is directed at each of the organisations. It is difficult for any business, be it commercial or community, to survive if it cannot plan. In other words, there must be certainty for any head of business in terms of activity for three to five years ahead and, in particular, the resources required to do that work. Perhaps a representative of each of the organisations might comment on whether there is a lack of certainty in planning, the impact of this and how in their view it could be addressed.

I would like to receive a little more information from Dublin Community Television, Northern Vision and Irish TV on their experiences in setting up these companies and, in particular, Ms Hyndman's proposal to expand Northern Vision on a 32 county basis and whether there might be opportunities in that regard in the roll-out of the Good Friday Agreement.

I have one other question for the representative of Irish TV which I assume has a board of directors or shareholders. I congratulate those involved. It is a big investment in a good idea. I wonder if the station had been developed three years ago, would it, rather than other operators, would have engaged on particular issues with the GAA. Had it been in operation for the past three years, is this the type of platform that could have been used? Mr. O'Reilly might also comment on whether, if the station grows and is successful, it would be at risk of takeover by organisations such as Sky. He might also talk us through the mechanics and cost of providing quality home produced programming for the diaspora. Nobody would argue against this being done and, of course, it should be done. However, are the mechanics and cost of doing so likely to increase year on year? What are the projections of how much the station will raise by way of advertising in Ireland and other jurisdictions?