Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ireland has a long history with radio, which is still fondly known by many as the wireless. More than 3.1 million listeners tune in to the radio every day. This is a staggering statistic when one considers the population of Ireland. It shows the continuing popularity of radio in Ireland. Regular radio broadcasting in Ireland began with 2RN test transmissions in 1925 and community radio in Ireland has been active in Ireland since the late 1970s, but it was not until 1994 that the Independent Radio and Television Commission established an 18-month community radio pilot project to explore and evaluate the potential of community broadcasting in an Irish context. More than two thirds of listeners tune in to independent radio stations. This statistic shows the popularity and success of our independent and community broadcasting stations.

Independent radio stations such as C103, 96FM, and RedFM have an excellent reputation for providing up-to-date current affairs. Some people may not realise that these independent radio stations do not receive any State support and that there is a statutory public service obligation on the independent radio sector to provide 20% news and current affairs programming. This is increasingly difficult for these stations to deliver, as they rely heavily on advertising revenue to survive. With the modern-day shift to digital social media platforms, it is becoming harder for radio stations to fund themselves. In 2016, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, committed to the reduction of the current levy on independent broadcasters. This promise was made three years ago but no action has yet been taken. The Government is now suggesting that the levy may only be halved. The levy was introduced in 2009 for the independent radio stations. This introduction occurred during the most severe downturn in revenues since the independent sector began. Independent radio stations have stated how this levy has seriously affected them in a negative way. These stations are calling for this tax on them to be dropped as the Government promised three years ago. I fully support these independent stations.

We need more supports to be made available for local independent radio stations. We need to look at establishing a public service broadcast fund for the independent radio sector by the end of September 2019. Some 25% of the funds raised through increased collection of the television licence fee should be given to the independent radio stations along with additional funding to develop and maintain high-quality news and current affairs programming.

I have to comment on my own local radio station. While I know 96FM and RedFM are there, C103 has a massive county to cover, the county of Cork. It has played an outstanding role in the biggest county of Ireland in a fair and honest manner, giving both sides of every issue. As Deputy Eugene Murphy has said, local radio is a voice for the young and a voice for the old. I have no doubt that, but for Patricia Messinger and John Paul McNamara of C103, there would have been serious loss of life during recent storms. During every minute of the day they gave up-to-date news from across County Cork about ongoing dangers. I will support these radio stations in any way I can.

See this speech in context