Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

A certain element of trust is required when the Minister says that he and his Department have got this right. I am concerned about the effect this proposal will have on this country's only national independent television broadcaster. Of all the amendments being made in this legislation, this is the one that has exercised the broadcaster in question - I do not refer to RTE or TG4 - to the greatest extent. We need to be very cautious in this area. We need to examine what has been done in other countries, to make sure we get it right. As we try to facilitate the development of a large multiplex system with a large number of channels and programmes, while avoiding long and drawn-out legal negotiations, we need to ensure that we do not treat one of this country's broadcasters in an unfair manner. That perception is continuing to come from TV3, although some of its concerns have been allayed. The Minister has assured us that programmes in respect of which exclusivity on a free-to-air multiplex service has been purchased cannot be retransmitted without some form of compensation or fee being paid. We have an obligation to lay down a warning in respect of the real concerns that TV3 continues to have. It is important that we flag such concerns in case this legislation results in the kind of calamitous response some people are predicting. The Minister's advice needs to be properly tested so we can be confident that it is correct.

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