Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

Precisely, but making parliamentary debate more accessible to people will open a greater dialogue between politicians and members of the public. That is important.

On the recent referendum on the Lisbon treaty — my colleague, Deputy Timmins, referred to this earlier when we discussed the proposed sub-committee for European Affairs — many of those who voted "No" or "Yes" were in the dark as to how the European Union functions, how the institutions work and how they serve the people of this country. An Oireachtas channel covering the debate at a European level also will open that area to people and provide an opportunity for greater understanding of the European institutions and European legislation, and the way it affects the people of Ireland.

I welcome also the establishment of an Irish film channel to showcase Irish films, which is an important and growling industry. There is much more I could say on that but I will move on because it is important that the issue of junk food advertising be addressed.

Like previous speakers, I believe strongly that Ireland has entered into a dangerous situation in terms of the health of children in our society. It is increasingly obvious to the naked eye but also in terms of studies and evidence that more young children are inclined towards obesity, with all of the associated health problems that go with that including diabetes and so on. It is important that we get this right. I would like to see not just the timing of junk food advertising but also the nature of advertising addressed in the Bill to ensure that, whatever time of the day or night, junk food is not promoted to children and that advertising of that nature is restricted at all times during the day.

I want to touch on an issue dear to my heart and one of major significance, that is, the ban on religious advertising to which section 41 refers. That is an important and emotive issue and the Bill does not go far enough in terms of addressing it. The 2001 legislation was a response to a ridiculous situation that arose in 1999 where The Irish Catholic was banned from advertising. The 2001 legislation responded to that in some way but the definition, which remains in section of 41 of the Bill before the House, continues to provide for a narrow and restrictive interpretation of religious advertising. That is unfortunate. There is scope for the Government to move on that and introduce a fairer and more reasonable interpretation of the ban on religious advertising.

It is extraordinary that in 2002, for example, the Power to Change campaign launched by an innocuous group wishing to promote the benefits of Christianity, was banned from RTE but allowed to be broadcast by UTV without any obvious damage to public order. In 2006, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, who is well known to all of us, was banned from advertising her book.

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