Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

In general, I welcome the introduction of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. For a long time, the Labour Party has campaigned for and supported the two key objectives of the Bill, namely, the introduction of broadcasting services for the Irish diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, and the introduction of digital terrestrial television services. The Bill can rightly be said to be a victory for the long campaign led by my colleague, Deputy Stagg, for the extension of television services to the large Irish community in the UK, which was forced to leave these shores during the past 50 years or so. The Labour Party is proud of Deputy Stagg and his achievement and I commend him.

Last year, I had cause to describe the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and the Government as an analogue Government in a digital age. Unfortunately, that description remains merited. The Bill is a small first step rather than a comprehensive vision for facilitating a smooth and speedy digital transition. The Labour Party believes that a comprehensive plan for achieving digital switch-over must be prepared and implemented urgently, as we cannot afford the botched introduction of yet another critical component of the digital infrastructure.

Our particular concern is the digital inclusion of our whole population. Vulnerable groups that will be most affected by the switch-over, such as senior citizens and households that have low incomes and are socially or geographically isolated, must not be left behind in the transition process. In three months time, it should be a policy of the new Government to provide set-top boxes to senior and vulnerable citizens.

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