Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One can see from where the sentiment around this amendment emerges, and it is perfectly laudable. It can be challenging for people in the Border counties or the Six Counties to see themselves disappearing into the ocean. However, the Minister made a very valid point about passing legislation that dictates to an editor responsible for a particular element of output that he or she must draw a particular kind of map. It could apply to any element of public broadcasting. I know the sentiments are validly expressed but it is dangerous territory to put into primary legislation a diktat to an editor or graphic designer as to what he or she must produce on a screen on a particular night. That will leave us open to derision. This is not the route to go down. The Minister is right. Perhaps the committee should have a longer discussion about this issue. If this is something that should be rectified, there is nothing to stop the committee writing to RTÉ and suggesting that this is a change which should be made. I would have no issue with that.