Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not fond of that idea. I do not agree with any political party or politician controlling current affairs. They are the people with the deep pockets. If they are allowed to that, I oppose it. I do not agree at all with that. It gives them regular appearances. Community radio was mentioned. In most places, it is dying on its feet. There is no revenue coming in. Local schemes have been withdrawn. Employment schemes have been withdrawn. Community employment schemes were available to community radio. They never got the traction that was hoped for simply because very few people flick stations. Some people listen to Shannonside radio all day and then they might watch the 6 O'clock news on television. I do not know what the BAI can do to support community radio but I wish it well.

As far as the national service is concerned, home produced drama is very attractive and very expensive but it attracts the biggest audiences. Current affairs is wall-to-wall at the moment. One can start out with "Morning Ireland" and end up going through it again on the Sean O'Rourke show, then move on to "News At One", then another programme, then "Drivetime" and it goes on and on. The story is reproduced, which is fine. Some people would like current affairs 24 hours a day. Some mornings I turn it on to Lyric FM to hear Marty Whelan. It is a relief sometimes when they go on and on. Access to shows such as the Marian Finucane show seem to be restricted to a panel. It seems to be the same panel. Deputy Eamon Ryan might be more regularly on it than people from outside the Pale. I do not hear many people from outside the Pale on the Marian Finucane show on Sunday mornings. Nobody wants to go on the Vincent Browne show on TV3 but everyone wants to watch it, which is a different thing.