Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dooley for bringing this very important motion before the House. There is no doubt that since local radio was introduced people have enjoyed listening to it. That is proven by the verified number of listeners nationwide. I come from an area in Sligo that is serviced by Ocean FM. I would say it has one of the smallest franchise areas in the country and it is surrounded by very successful radio stations such as Midwest Radio, Highland Radio, and Shannnonside. Despite that fact, Ocean FM has been very successful. It employs 35 people full-time and the same number part-time. There is no doubt that a public service obligation is very expensive. Local radio stations need it. They will not survive without it. Despite its small franchise area, Ocean FM has won many national awards for the work it does. There is no doubt but that it comes down to the work of the staff on the ground. It has an excellent staff.

The former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, promised in 2016 that he would scrap the levy. Doing that would definitely make things much easier for local radio stations. Quite honestly I do not agree with all these amalgamations. If they happen the strong will get stronger and the weak will get weaker. Radio will lose its local identity, which is something for which we need to watch out. As for regional radio, iRadio, which also is a very successful radio station, covers the regions. All these stations will need support in the future. There is no doubt about it. That is why I am delighted Deputy Dooley has brought this before the House.

See this speech in context