Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to make a few comments on this Bill. The Bill is about how broadcasting will be defined and how the broadcasting industry will be organised and managed in Ireland. At a time of massive developments in the arena of communications, such a Bill is highly appropriate. The legislation deals with issues pertaining to the format, structure and model of broadcasting. It deals with publicly-funded broadcasters and those which are not funded directly by the licence fee but through commercial advertising. While a publicly-funded broadcaster is required, public funding brings with it real responsibilities regarding the approach such a broadcaster should take. Being funded by the public places an additional set of obligations upon a broadcaster and certain standards must be maintained. Moreover, a level of excellence that may not be expected of independent broadcasters may also be required. That constitutes the reality for organisations that are funded by the people.

I emphasise that a public broadcaster is not a State broadcaster. The public broadcaster should not be a direct extension of the State in its form and functions. I strongly believe that it also is appropriate to regulate RTE in the same way as other independent, commercial broadcasters, such as TV3. RTE is in a privileged position inasmuch as it has access to a licence fee. This advantage for the station cannot be underestimated. One of the best recent developments has been the introduction of competitors into the television market in Ireland.

I still can recall when there was only one television channel in Ireland. I also can recall that there were no televisions in the street on which I was reared. However, we were fortunate to have access to a shop that sold televisions. It was operated by a decent man and more children would gather outside his shop window to watch "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" and a few similar programmes that I remember vaguely than would go to the cinema. He placed a small speaker outside the shop to enable everyone to hear what was going on. Things certainly have changed since then as practically every room in every house has a television, which is to be welcomed in certain circumstances. We have come a long way since then and have further to go.

TV3 has been a welcome addition to the market. This was seen most recently in respect of coverage of the All-Ireland championships matches. In the most recent season, TV3 showed live coverage of some major matches and did a good job of that. Competition is a good thing, which RTE should welcome, rather than fear. It should consider it as an incentive to maintain and improve its standards. Everyone experiences competition, be it in business, politics or whatever walk of life, and it keeps everyone focused.

I support the Bill's overall approach. While other Members have referred to it as being cautious rather than radical, it will ensure that we have adequate regulation over the broadcasting sector. We must never underestimate the importance of the broadcasting sector in people's lives. Many older people, who may be living alone, rely on television or radio as their main source of keeping in touch with the outside world. Whether by listening to Joe Duffy on "Liveline", although Members may not always agree with what he says, or by watching "The Late Late Show" on Friday nights, people rely on such programmes to inform their opinions. Consequently, it is important to put in place relevant regulation as the broadcasting sector has great influence on people's lives.

The Bill will lead to the establishment of a new broadcasting authority. It is crucial that it will not simply be the current Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in a new guise. The proposed Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will assume the functions of the existing Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and will take on a number of new roles and responsibilities. It will have two statutory boards, namely, the contracts award committee and the compliance committee. The authority will have overall responsibility for the organisation with regard to preparing codes and rules for broadcasters.

This is an important Bill. It is a detailed and comprehensive legislative proposal that seeks to deal with virtually all aspects of regulation and the provision of broadcasting content in Ireland. It introduces many new concepts, grants a range of new functions to broadcasters and regulators and sets the framework for new activities and services, especially in light of technological developments.

The Broadcasting Bill consolidates and revises almost 50 years of Irish broadcasting legislation, which I welcome. It repeals the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, which established RTE, and the Radio and Television Act 1988, which allowed for independent commercial broadcasting for the first time. Under this Bill, the entire body of broadcasting legislation now is presented in a single, consolidated Bill. This is a more efficient model and is necessary at this time of advancement in modern communications.

I also welcome the contribution of local radio stations. Given the geographical position of my constituency, it is covered by two radio stations, namely, Mid West Radio and Ocean FM and I acknowledge the contributions they make to the lives of elderly people, many of whom live alone in isolated places. The stations schedule programming to facilitate those people in the form of sport, local issues, farming matters, current affairs and death notices. The latter is a highly important part of radio programming for many people who wish to keep informed in respect of their local community.

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