Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, for sharing his speaking time with me on this important issue. I wish to re-assert firmly my support for the introduction of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill to provide for a 50% reduction in the broadcast levy. It should be brought forward for debate in the House without further delay. I am conscious of the large amount of new priority legislation that has jumped the queue due to Brexit, but I believe there is now enough political support and will across the Chamber for this Bill to be given the priority required. I hope that will be the case in the weeks ahead. As a cross-party gathering, so to speak, today's motion and debate will emphasise this point and I believe the Government is listening.

This debate occurs at a pivotal moment considering the disappointing news from the UK that Global Radio, one of the UK's leading regional radio station owners, is to cut 100 jobs and reduce its news output across all its independent radio stations. No Member wants something similar to happen here. As a result, the Government must take action and I am confident that it will. Our local radio stations operate at the heart of the community. They are the bedrock of the daily lives of our constituents. It is clear that they need increased financial support to survive and thrive. Members will be aware that local radio stations have been pushed to the pins of their collars in recent years to comply with public broadcasting licence regulations. They need a break and assistance now, just as they did 12 months ago when the Bill was first proposed.

Local radio stations have as great a public broadcasting remit as RTÉ given the fact that they must have a minimum of 20% news coverage in their shows and that they cover every election, referendum and local news stories hourly as well as covering sports, arts, agriculture and current affairs. At this stage the public expects this news service. I am sure that if the public had an option they would prefer to see an allocation of the TV licence funding going to local radio stations rather than for big salaries for presenters in RTÉ. While I do not wish to discuss the RTÉ funding model at length, I must highlight one example. "Morning Ireland" is Ireland's most popular radio show with 450,000 listeners, but at the same time hundreds of thousands of people across the country are tuning into local radio stations for the same news service. These stations get no funding or relief from the State currently to help them to provide the same service. This must change quickly to ensure the survival of the industry.

I am told by good sources that the effect of the proposed 50% reduction in the levy for a radio station such as award winning Ocean FM in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal would mean additional funding of approximately €9,000 being available to the station per year. While that might appear to be an insignificant sum when compared with the budget of RTÉ, this funding would help to ease the pressure on the station. There is no lavish spending at these radio stations, just honest hard work and commitment in attempting to provide a service to the public. For a number of local radio stations staying afloat is getting harder each year.

I welcome this motion and I welcome the fact that the Government is committed to passing the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. I call for urgency on this issue in the weeks and months ahead.

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