Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

While I agree with Deputy McManus, to date more than half of the money for radio programming in the broadcasting fund has gone to community radio. Sometimes we must be careful not to set quotas or restrictions which could affect the fund's flexibility.

Deputy Coveney is correct about the importance of news and current affairs to any broadcaster's schedule. A Committee Stage amendment opened up the definition of radio and television programmes considered suitable for the fund to those which raised public awareness and understanding of global issues impacting on countries other than Ireland. Many international current affairs issues could be raised through this.

The original requirements put in place 20 years ago on news broadcasting for independent broadcasters were initially seen as a burden but have become their core asset. The news and current affairs shows attract and hold listeners. Television broadcasters see news and current affairs programmes as expensive and have them on late at night when there is not a large audience. However, it is the heart of a station, giving a mix and a balance that is important and what viewers want. Viewers need to trust and know that the broadcaster has some depth to it with some fair, open and honest consideration of current affairs.

All these requirements are on a statutory footing which are enforced and extended in this Bill. The new codes we are introducing will require such news and current affairs broadcasting to be fair, impartial and a major part of programming. I do not believe we need to divert moneys from the broadcasting fund when that objective is already achieved in other parts of the legislation.

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