Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support this Bill, which seeks to introduce a quota for Irish music to be played on the Irish airwaves. It is disappointing, however, that it will not be supported by the Government. The Bill seeks to introduce a quota by making it a condition for the awarding of all sound and broadcasting contracts to include at least 45% of the time allocated to music content in programmes for music that relates to "some distinguished element of the culture of the island of Ireland".

Radio maintains a consistent presence in our society. Up to 86% of adults, almost 3 million people, listen to radio on the average weekday in Ireland. While TV and print media ratings are falling ahead of increased online broadcasting trends, maintaining a music quota for radio will have the greatest impact in exposing the listening population to music content that relates to a cultural aspect of Ireland. In saying that, I do not believe we need to restrict quotas only to music which has a cultural element. It could be read to assume that only music deemed culturally relevant to the island of Ireland will be played. What about Irish singers who might write and produce original pop songs here in Ireland or an African national living here who has written, produced and performed music in Ireland but who cannot get air time? Upholding a quota for culturally specific Irish music may not do anything to develop and grow the music industry in itself.

Alongside any quota system being introduced, a strategy should also be introduced to develop a home-grown music industry. This year, the Taoiseach launched Creative Ireland as the Government's legacy programme for Ireland 2016, a five-year whole-of-Government initiative from 2017 to 2022, which aims to improve access to cultural and creative activity in every county. While this is welcome, little is contained in the programme to enhance prospects for the music industry, which means we are still without a fully functioning music strategy. According to the Irish Music Rights Organisation which deals with licensing rights for Irish musicians, Ireland's music industry supports 11,500 jobs nationwide and is worth close to €500 million annually to the economy. Clearly, there is potential to develop this further. Like many other industries, the music sector has been impacted in recent years both as a result of austerity cuts and on foot of technological advances as people increasingly download music for free. More than that, it is also the fact that this Government lacks a clear and coherent strategy to support the sector.

During the economic recovery process as we seek to create more employment, increase tourism and develop sustainable sectors, now is the time to develop a real plan for Irish music, involving all stakeholders including the Government, industry representative bodies, musicians and songwriters themselves, among others. This is crucial if we are to optimise the economic and social return of the music sector. This should coincide with any quota system that could be introduced.

I want to dispute the age-old notion that we cannot possibly introduce a quota system as it may contravene EU competition law. Niall Stokes, former chair of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, previously sought a music quota for Ireland in the 1990s, which the EU sanctioned. In 1994, France secured a 40% quota for songs played in French.

While this law primarily dealt with preserving the spoken language of French as it was felt English was homogenising the music industry, we need to be clear about our own intentions. Is it about the preservation of language, our cultural heritage or the preservation of our music industry in general? Both are intrinsically linked because music recorded and written in Ireland is also part of our cultural heritage and should be preserved and given the airtime it deserves.

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