Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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So TV3 has the UTV licence also. Therefore, there are three stations, which is quite a few. I am sure "Emmerdale" and "Coronation Street" must be TV3's saviours at this time, considering that it bought into them again. Let us be honest: they have very big viewerships in Ireland. They are well-established programmes, as one knows, and they are quite enjoyable.

TV3 does not seem to have any Oireachtas report. It does not have any slot for this, even late at night at 11.30 p.m. or 12 midnight. It does not show coverage of the Dáil, Seanad and committees. I do not see any reason it could not do so. RTE does show coverage but it does not have a monopoly on controlling the output from these Houses. It would be very worthwhile, in a democracy and in very challenging times, if TV3 could fit in coverage somewhere, even if only once per week. It could do a round-up of the events in the Dáil, Seanad and committees. It would be of interest to some of TV3's viewers and result in some competition. There is no competition with "Oireachtas Report" on RTE. It is hit and miss as to who gets on that programme.

I agree with Senator Lombard on regional input and I accept it is expensive. There is no regional input from the west. There is nobody covering anything down there. I regard TV3 as a Dublin-oriented station. It should and could consider utilising the excellent broadcasters in local radio through Skype and all the modern technology. One could slot them in without any real costs. Those concerned are all linked to the Internet. There would be some costs involved but there are some terrific broadcasters in every county who could have a great input. Could TV3 examine that as a possibility for a programme called "Regional Round-up" or some such title? "Nationwide", presented by Mary Kennedy, is an excellent programme. It is a programme of record for the future. What it is filming now in rural areas will be of archival interest in 100 years.

The witnesses will recall the company called Irish TV. It is gone, unfortunately. It tried very hard to become a regional, rural station. Could TV3 investigate whether it could secure its footage and records? I have checked this with RTE and it said the company is in liquidation or otherwise. The records are very valuable and it would be a shame if they were lost for all time. Film footage is so valuable and very good for records. TV3 should keep up its good work.

My final question is for Mr. Pat Kiely in his capacity as a former advertising man. How will the banning of all alcohol advertising on television affect TV3?