Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

That is equally a question that could be asked. I raised the point and I have asked my officials in framing the Bill to examine those issues, and to see if wording applies which could steer the regulators or broadcasters towards a sensibility that is in tune with the national conversation and with our sense of our collective consciousness. This sounds very broad, but I believe that is the difficulty, sensitivity and importance of this legislation.

The legislation deals with issues around the format, structure and model of broadcasting, dealing with publicly funded broadcasters and those not funded directly by the licence fee but through commercial advertising. My sense is that the broad structures in place are correct. I believe we need a publicly funded broadcaster. Public funding brings with it real responsibilities regarding the approach a public broadcaster should take. Deputy Higgins referred to the obligation to examine such issues as children's programming and to ensure there is proper investment so that a service is provided which may not have a commercial mandate but which is a crucial element in our broadcasting media mix.

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