Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Local independent radio is very important to communities, especially in rural areas, including in large towns and villages. Local stations' news updates and delivery of up-to-the-minute happenings during the pandemic and during storms contributed enormously to public safety and in no small way to the saving of lives. Their economic challenges following the pandemic have multiplied threefold. Advertising has dropped significantly, putting tremendous strain on stations such as my local station, South East Radio. The sound and vision scheme will not be sufficient to meet the requirements of maintaining a quality service, including the delivery of live news, talk-based programming and current affairs. The viability of local radio stations is on the line. The Minister has it in her remit to accept this amendment, which would go a long way to protecting these community-based, community-driven and community-supported radio services.

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