Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will continue the line of questioning raised by Deputy Dillon on media. The pandemic has been a huge pressure point for all media outlets but has also displayed the huge role good quality public and private media organisations play and the way they helped communicate the messages during the pandemic. Deputy Dillon spoke about local newspapers and radio stations but, unfortunately, in Dublin there is almost a complete absence of local media. It is a challenge because it deprives the Dublin area of spaces in which to debate important topics of relevance to the city. My area has two local free sheet papers which are under huge financial pressure and no local radio stations. All the local radio stations operating on a Dublin-wide basis are essentially competing with national radio stations. It is a problem because I am often envious of my Oireachtas colleagues who have better channels to communicate and engage with voters. The decision for Newstalk to receive a national rather than a Dublin-focused licence tempted us with what was possible but absent. The closure of Dublin-specific phone-in shows like "Dublin Talks" on 98FM has made the problem even worse. Within the spend of the Department, is work being undertaken to try to address the need in the capital?