Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

We should use this debate to discuss the future of RTE. There is a real question about whether RTE is a content producer. That question should also be asked of TV3, but we have responsibility for RTE. It should not see itself as being involved in the transmission area. There are real questions about the future of RTE, which is unfortunate. We are not legislating here for a general broadcasting Bill, which we should have done before the end of this Dáil. Under the heads of the Bill set out by the Minister, a future Minister will have too close a relationship, responsibility and authority over the control of public sector broadcasting.

Having said all that, I still commend the Bill and I look forward to debating it on Committee Stage.

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