Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The report showed a dramatic improvement in the past three years in Irish telecommunications service provision compared with international performances.

Real public service is provided by the likes of Matt Cooper, Vincent Browne and a whole range of different journalists. The news and current affairs content, particularly in the independent radio companies and TV3, is important and beneficial to the State's democracy. A competitive broadcasting market with a strong independent sector is very important. When introducing the Broadcasting Act 2009, Deputies McManus and Coveney and I agreed to the idea of a broadcasting fund and allowing other companies to pitch for a business share of the licence fee revenue. Each of us agreed the setaside should be 7%. I accept there may be an argument it is too small a figure but that was the Fine Gael position at the time. The fund recognises that other networks and broadcasters are important to public service broadcasting.

RTE has a different remit with a legislative basis which allows for revenues to be raised from the licence fee and advertising. I do not believe there should be a fundamental change to that existing structure.

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