Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Professor Pauric Travers, Mr. Michael O'Keeffe and Ms Stephanie Comey to the meeting. It is hard to get a big turnout in these meetings when something is happening. I thank the witnesses for the presentation and the survey. The Reuters Institute digital news report is very informative. I do not know if it has had much coverage in the media. I do not think it has. I will concentrate on local radio. Local radio is providing the service in our area. Local radio, Shannonside radio, Northern Sound, Radio 103 Offaly-Westmeath and Midwest Radio are the only stations bringing real, local information to local people, whether it is the events of a county council meeting or current affairs. The views of Oireachtas Members are broadcast regularly on those stations. No one has every complained they were deprived access or not allowed to have their views expressed. Yet the BAI is not giving them the support they deserve. They will not be able to continue broadcasting current affairs without support from the licence fee or some form of support. The cost involved in providing current affairs is very expensive. Most of the local sports programmes are sponsored by some company because it is an attractive package. Current affairs is different because it cannot be sponsored. There is no point in having a politician or Oireachtas Member sponsoring a programme because it is not allowed.