Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Mullen. It is not that long ago since I was a backbencher in government that, in the words of a former monarch, I was the cause of no amount of anni horribiles. I was probably one of its greatest critics. The Cathaoirleach was Minister at the time and he will remember it. We might all come from different viewpoints but I do not think what Senator Mullen is saying is unreasonable. Last week I was castigated in the Dáil by a member of the Opposition who wanted to tear down the television licence and was trying to start a campaign to get nobody to pay it. However, every time I turn on RTÉ the same fellow is on it. If there was to be an equality test on people's percentages in the last general election, the Government parties and certainly the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin would find it very unfair. Some people seem to command a huge amount of airtime. This being said, I would not possibly like to cut across the editorial independence of RTÉ in my role as Minister for communications. I am just making a personal observation that every time I turn on the radio the same group of people seem to be always on it. Senator Mullen makes an interesting point, and this is where an audience council probably needs to be looked at. I would welcome suggestions from the committee on this. At the end of the day, how do we deem the output as being reflective of Ireland in 2025 and not reflective of Ireland of 1945? This is a very reasonable request. If the committee wants to flesh out a suggestion in its pre-legislative scrutiny, I will certainly look at it.