Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her comprehensive response, some of which I was aware of when I put the amendments together. Again, these amendments are borne out of frustration. For instance, the BAI had the duty to ensure local broadcasters, even in Gaeltacht areas, had special regard to the needs of the Irish language community. We know from the report by Dr. John Walsh and Dr. Rosemary Day that Galway Bay FM broadcast 0% in Irish, even though it broadcasts in Gaeltacht areas, and nothing was done about it. This amendment is about trying to ensure, at minimum, that there would be a target that is implementable and a body, in this case an coimisiún, that could ensure that would happen. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Day produced a comprehensive report on the level of Irish language broadcasting by broadcasters, in particular, local broadcasters, throughout the country. These broadcasters knowingly accepted their licences and were encouraged over the years to increase the very minimal amount of Irish language broadcasting they were producing, whether they were transmitting Irish traditional music, Irish language music or other music.

From meetings of this committee and previous committees, other Deputies will know of discussions on how we ensure local and national broadcasters broadcast our own music. These amendments are attempts to reflect, as the Minister mentioned, the French example.

I remember over the years people saying we could not do various things because of EU law, whereas France is doing it. I do not know if the French are getting away with it or if they have a better understanding of EU law than we have. Maybe an coimisiún can look at it when it is carrying out its comprehensive analysis of Irish broadcasting. I hope that comprehensive analysis can be completed quite quickly and will have an effect so that it is not necessary for us to come back here in some years' time still frustrated or more frustrated with the lack of progress.