Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her officials for the solidarity they have shown with the sector, reflecting the challenges they are facing. I would hope the report emanating from the BAI in that short time frame will confirm the need for a redesign and restructuring of the levy so that it does not impact negatively on the long-term viability of the sector. I thank the Minister most sincerely for the additional funding that will be provided under sound and vision. It is most welcome. From speaking to some people who operate in the sector I have heard that the application process for sound and vision was somewhat cumbersome in its past iterations and the cost associated with making a sound and vision application ate into the rewards when grants were finally awarded. I ask the Minister if it is at all possible for that process to remain as robust as it needs to be in protecting taxpayer funds, while also being cognisant of the fact that a lot of local commercial radio stations do not have the resources or expertise to navigate cumbersome application processes.

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