Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their involvement in local and community radio and for the service they have provided over the last 18 months. The figures were given by Mr. Purcell of the increase in listenership, and that is due to the fact that it is a trusted media source, and it is important that it is maintained. A couple of colleagues and I had numerous meetings with the local media - local newspapers, local radio and community radio - and earlier in the year put in a submission to the Future of Media Commission. One of the conclusions we came to was the need for a diverse range of media coverage of local activity and strong journalism, both of which are essential for our local communities.

The content created continues to be relevant, but the way that audience accesses that content is rapidly changing. With that change, the traditional way an organisation can earn money is under serious threat. We have to look beyond Covid, although how far away that is, we do not know. However, it is important the support mechanisms that were there previously are kept by Government. We have to develop a framework that will allow this change to happen in a sustainable way for the witnesses' organisations to be able to survive and continue to give us that trusted news.

Part of our proposal was basically replacing the television licence fee with the public service media charge. We could bring in in the region of an extra €50 million to €60 million into that fund, and make that fund available across all media, be it written media, local radio, regional radio or community radio. Support would come through the Future of Media Commission, which was set up. What are the witnesses' views on that proposal and is that something they would support?