Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses to the splendid surroundings of the Seanad. We are not used to being in such a fine location. We usually slum it over in the Lower House. I am glad to be welcomed here as a guest. I thank the witnesses for being here. I welcome my local Radio Kerry anchor, Jerry O'Sullivan, in particular. I have been waiting for years for the opportunity to give him a good grilling. The shoe is usually on the other foot. I hope Mr. O'Sullivan has taken note of where the exits are. I will ask questions and leave it to whomever among the witnesses wishes to answer them.

I welcome the VAT reduction. It is very important. That reduction is merited. We can see more of this type of reduction in other areas in circumstances where it is merited.

Has covering sport become more challenging? I am thinking of competition from the big, multinational players in particular in this regard. What impact is that having on the industry? Is there scope or potential, in the context of the public interest element of State funding in the future, for assistance to be provided when it comes to coverage of sport?

On advertising, both broadcast and print, what has been the impact online regarding the displacement of revenue and reach? How has that affected the various sectors? It is probably a niche area, but what about political advertising in the context of broadcast versus print and online? There is a difference. Is it time for changes? There is limited scope with regard to broadcast. I could put an ad in TheKerryman tomorrow morning, but I cannot advertise my clinics on Radio Kerry. Is there scope to do something in that area? We do not want to turn into the United States, but there may be an opportunity there for everybody.

On the threat of litigation, are we entering an era where it has become the norm, in political culture in particular but also in other elements of the witnesses' work, for litigation to be the first form of defence rather than traditional public discourse? How crippling is that? Does the Oireachtas need to act further? What would the witnesses want to see done with the defamation laws in order to level the playing field? This aspect has certainly received considerable attention of late in the political context. It is an area of concern. Outside of the threat of litigation, to what extent does organised crime and intimidation impact on the witnesses' work? It is one thing to have legal threats, but having illegal threats is a whole different ball game.