Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Chairman, Deputy Eugene Murphy, when he spoke earlier, adequately explained the importance of local radio throughout Ireland and the role its work and service play in communities. It is invaluable and, as Deputy Niall Collins said, it plays its part in ensuring that democracy prevails. That is true of all stations, including Midland 103 in my locality.

All the stations have endeavoured to meet their remit under the licensing laws dating back to 1989. At that time, and it remains the case, there was an obligation to allocate 20% of their broadcasting to news, sport and current affairs. They have met that remit, but currently they are finding it very difficult to deliver it in the way they did initially. That throws the ball back firmly into the Government's court. The Government of the day recognised that the stations had an ability to generate revenue through advertising, but the playing pitch has changed greatly in the 30 years since then. Currently, the radio stations can no longer meet the challenge due to competition from online news feeds and so forth. The onus of responsibility, therefore, is firmly on the Government to amend the means by which that challenge and remit can be met.

This motion is an offering on our part to which we hope other Members and particularly the Government will respond. It is a mechanism by which that remit can be met. We hope that if the motion is passed today it will not just be a token motion, to be put in the pile of other motions that have been passed in this Dáil, but that the Government will meet the challenge head on. We will ensure, on behalf of the people we represent, that the task of the Government is relayed and delivered.

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