Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The important task of regulation should not be underestimated. I stated earlier that regulation strengthens an industry and I compared it to the communications or energy regulator. Broadcasting regulation is fundamentally different. It has a certain element of economic regulation in terms of one's interest in maintaining a market where there are a variety of different broadcasters. There is also a fundamental difference in content regulation in that one is going beyond simple market analysis and is able to say to businesses that what they stated is wrong, that their style of programming is improper or that the nature of their advertising must cease. That is a different type of regulation. It is far more difficult, subtle and sophisticated and in many ways far more important.

Local radio stations broadcast into the kitchens of every house in this country. It is important we get that regulation right. In getting that regulation right we must ensure that the regulator does not treat one station differently from another. There is a sense that where everyone is paying and making a contribution, small in some cases and larger in others-----

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