Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I move amendment No. 102:

In page 124, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:

"(2) At all times practicable save other than for operational and maintenance purposes that RTÉ use the maximum power levels as sanctioned by the ITU and licensed by ComReg in the case of an LF broadcast transmitter serving the island of

Ireland and or Irish communities abroad.".

I was asked to table this amendment by people concerned about radio reception in Britain and in Northern Ireland. It was initially about medium wave, and it relates to LF broadcast transmission. I would be surprised if the Minister accepted the amendment, but it raises an issue about those in the diaspora being able to obtain transmissions from Ireland. More importantly, it raises an issue about the diaspora channel, which was agreed by the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The statutory requirement for the diaspora channel was laid on RTE, which is now clearly not in a position to deliver on that requirement. I am extremely concerned about that because it is a real undermining of the work we do. If we are passing laws to require RTE or whoever to do certain things in the public interest, but these do not happen, it really raises questions. If it is the case that we are not providing the necessary funding, then that should be confronted. It is all too easy for a Government to propose some other authority to do something. It means the Government gets kudos for a commitment. The Bill is brought through the House, we all agree on what must be done, the Bill becomes the law of the land, but nothing happens.

The two issues here are related to the amendment itself and the commitments made regarding broadcasting to the diaspora. I would be grateful if the Minister commented on them.

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