Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Some older people are very interested in having a bet in their own homes. The simple relaying of the race meetings would give them a great interest every afternoon as so many race meetings take place throughout the country.

I welcome the proposed Oireachtas television channel. Live broadcast of Oireachtas proceedings should be encouraged. The Ceann Comhairle and I are both members of the Oireachtas Commission. That commission is making headway in that regard. It will be good for the people out there looking in and seeing the work we are doing. It will get people, like the young people looking down at me from the Gallery today, talking about it. What is happening in the Oireachtas will get into every home and school and will bridge the gap. Much of what is contained in the media does not portray properly what is happening in this House and what people are saying. The Oireachtas channel will have a major impact in connecting people at home with us.

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