Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During Storm Ophelia and the "beast from the east", websites were of little use because of electricity outages. Even mobile phone masts were without power in some instances. Local and regional radio was a vital tool to update people on what was happening in their own communities. The "Be Winter Ready" campaign and public notices in advance of forecasted severe weather should encourage people to have their batteries on standby and to tune in to local radio to get local updates. Local radio, despite its remit to be a purely commercial operation, provides a vital public service in weather emergencies which will, sadly, become far more commonplace in future. This needs to be reflected in public service broadcasting funding. The broadcasting (amendment) Bill, for which I secured Cabinet approval, is the first definitive step in advancing that position.

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