Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly agree with that sentiment. We had the independent broadcasters before the Oireachtas last week and Fine Gael itself had a delegation. Local radio is very important across Ireland. There are over 3.7 million listeners of local radio. They need to be factored into the reform of the TV licence and should be placed front and centre alongside RTÉ. We all know RTÉ has argued that the TV licence model was broken. Its thoughts would be focused on direct Exchequer funding. I know this is something that both the Tánaiste and Taoiseach have discussed. They have also put forward options about a potential broadcasting levy or a direct taxpayer-funded model. Certainly, as a member of the media committee, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that public broadcasting becomes front and centre and has a solid funding model in the future. I look forward to working with the Minister in this regard.

See this speech in context