Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister will have to invest in broadband roll-out or else it will not happen, particularly in rural areas.

Local independent radio stations provide a superb service for rural areas. They have as much a public service obligation remit as any other broadcaster. However, regarding the 7% setaside from the licence fee for a broadcasting fund, it irks the independent media sector that RTE can pitch for it too. Bearing in mind the reversal in advertising revenues for independent broadcasters and the power of RTE, will the Minister agree to consider making the broadcasting fund available only to the independent sector?

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