Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I am very happy to be here speaking on this issue, but my interest lies only in sections 3, 14 and 15. The balance will be very ably dealt with by my colleague, Deputy Broughan, the Labour Party's spokesperson on this area.

The debate on the issue of broadcasting to the Irish abroad started with the Labour Party's Private Members' motion on 27 and 28 January 2004 which sought the implementation of the task force report on the Irish abroad. Amazingly, this was the first time the issue of the needs of the Irish abroad was discussed in this House, despite the large numbers involved over a protracted period. There has been real progress since. Funding by the Government has increased from €4 million in 2004 to €15 million this year and services have been increased accordingly. However, the task force envisaged a larger amount, €34 million, in funding from the Government. It could be said there is "a lot done, more to do".

That we are discussing the measure today is proof that campaigning works. I was not the only person involved in the campaign; Members from the Government side and other Opposition parties were involved also. We were persistent and successful, as is demonstrated by our discussion of section 3 today. The Opposition can propose as much as it likes but in the long term the Government disposes. I want to recognise that reality.

Arising from the 2004 debate, Fine Gael and the Labour Party have developed a joint policy position for the implementation of all aspects of the task force report during a period of government. Two issues have regularly and constantly come to the fore in my discussions with both individuals and organisations working for the Irish abroad. One is free travel when such persons visit Ireland, an issue the Government is addressing but an initiative it is having difficulty implementing. The other is reception of Irish television services by the Irish abroad, particularly in Britain, for which there is a strong demand, which grew greatly after the Tara service disappeared for economic reasons. The reason for such strong demand is very obvious, as people wish to keep in touch and ensure they know what is happening. They want to be in contact with home and do not want to be isolated.

I pay tribute to and thank the Taoiseach. I pestered him on the Order of Business with the matter which I raised 15 times. I got a good reception every time. He spoke to me privately and told me he was favourably disposed to my suggestion that this measure be removed from the large Broadcasting Bill and included in this one. He told me he would speak to the appropriate Minister whom I thank for doing exactly that and bringing this short measure before the Dáil. Other issues are attached about which I do not know much; I am interested only in this matter. My colleague is an expert and will tackle the Minister if the need arises.

Section 3(1)(b) states:

by inserting the following subsections after subsection (1):

"(1A) The Authority shall establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, in so far as the Authority considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland and the Authority shall have all such powers as are necessary for or incidental to those purposes."

That is key legislation which will empower RTE to broadcast outside the island. When we previously considered this matter, both sides of the House believed it could be done but RTE wanted to avoid it at all costs, putting every possible obstacle in the way. When the Government was at the point of instructing RTE to do it as a matter of policy, the body indicated that the old Broadcasting Act restricted it to broadcasting on the island of Ireland. This amendment arose from this and enables it to broadcast outside the island.

This will give a degree of recognition demanded by the Irish abroad for the very real and significant assistance provided by them during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The amount is colossal, even in the context of today's figures. It amounts to a real transfer of €3.5 billion. Through this measure and others, it is high time to thank the elderly people in question, many of whom sent money home to those who were regularly in poor circumstances. We should thank them for the food, clothes, books and education paid for with their money. Often, £5 sterling, equivalent to an Irish week's wages, would arrive in an envelope. As I have personal experience in this regard, I want to record my thanks.

The constantly recurring themes in the discussions with the Irish abroad were the reception of television and free travel. On the former, people had a service through Tara Television, but when it disappeared suddenly, the isolation felt by many was all the stronger. In England, there is a large number of Irish widows in the 55 year to 65 year age group arising from the tough lifestyles of their husbands, which affected the health of those men and caused them to die young. While the widows are not particularly poor, they are culturally isolated and removed from their communities. One's cultural identity is important, the most important part of which is retaining links. Being able to see contemporary RTE, home-produced, sports and news programmes would be a positive strengthening of that link and reduction of the isolation in question.

I ask the Minister not to allow RTE to drag its heels. Earlier, he stated that it might take some time, but there is no reason in the world for that to be the case. New services can be set up quickly, but this is an extension of an existing service. With modern technology and the provisions in the Bill, there is no reason the service cannot be in place in time for the All-Ireland Final. I look forward to counties Meath and Mayo playing. I am not hopeful of counties Meath and Kildare meeting in the final, as they are in the same province.

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