Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputies for the amendment but I cannot accept it for a number of reasons. The amendment seeks to change the position in the 2009 Act where video on-demand services are titled "non-broadcast non-linear audio-visual media services" to "audiovisual on-demand media services" in line with the language in EU law.

However, this is already provided for in sections 33 and 34.

On the other elements of the amendment, which proposes to replace a reference to "the Irish language" with a reference to "the national aim of restoring the Irish language to use as a spoken language nationwide", I am advised that the current reference to the Irish language is sufficient and appropriate in the context of this section of the 2009 Act, which states that, in pursuit of its public service objects, RTÉ shall "be responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, be mindful of the need for understanding and peace within the whole island of Ireland, ensure that the programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of the whole island of Ireland, and have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular for the Irish language".