Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What is regressive or indeed aggressive about the notion that Irish music and culture, in the broadest sense, should be reflected in the music that is played on our radio stations? As speakers from all sides of the House have pointed out, many stations already do this. RTE television gives a lot of attention to music, but there is certainly not enough Irish music on RTE daytime radio.

The Minister, Deputy Naughten, made a slightly snide comment when he spoke about the French quota, which has existed for a long period of time. He mentioned that the quota used in France "requires air play of music in the French language" - I remind him that it relates to the arts in general - and suggested that a similar quota here would cause problems in an English-speaking country. I really do not understand that one. I go to an Irish music festival in France every year for a couple of days. It is popular among people coming from the Willie Clancy festival. Deputies may be aware that the Willie Clancy week in Clare is called the "wet Willie" and the week in France is called the sunshine one or the warm one. The finest Irish musicians are feted every year when they go to the Dordogne, Lorient and other places. Our music is part of the draw for the French tourists whom we all welcome. If we do not ensure our children have opportunities at school and in their homes to experience Irish music by hearing it on the radio, we are at serious risk of diminishing the amazing cultural heritage we have inherited.

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