Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe. I sing the praises of the local and regional papers. They have been part and parcel of life for a century in some cases. We have the Clonmel Nationalistand Tipperary Star. I have issues with Iconic Newspapers, which I will not go into today. It is owned by Malcolm Denmark, who took over many things, and the way he treated the staff was disgraceful, horrible and obnoxious. Journalists who had given great service for decades were shamefully treated. We were delighted with the information about the breakdown of the market share of independent titles, with Celtic Media at 13%, independent titles at 19%, The Irish Timesat 15%, and INM at 23%. There are newspapers such as The Nenagh Guardian, The Clare Champion, The Connacht Tribune, the Tuam Herald, The Southern Star, The Munster Express, the Mayo Newsand, of course, The Northern Standardwhich I always read when I go to Monaghan to visit my in-laws.

The witnesses discussed not getting funding, yet they had a constructive meeting with the Minister, Deputy Martin. Why did the radio sector get funding and the newspapers did not? The witnesses gave the impression that newspapers in other countries got funding. Can the newspapers wait for the Future of Media Commission? I do not like it when I hear about these commissions. I know the witnesses are in a terribly difficult market. I have a family member who sells papers and it is all online. The witnesses have a major battle there.

I salute the journalists who provide coverage at council meetings, courts and local events. They are part and parcel of the community. Why have the newspapers not got funding? Did they apply at the same time as radio companies? Were they unable to do enough lobbying? What is the reason? They should have got funding. The local newspaper on the dresser or table is important. We all depended on it. I know things have moved on. We need to have that connectivity. A certain cohort of people are not online. I am 60 years of age. Many people over my age are not online. They need that connectivity.