Results 581-600 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Seanad: Cork School of Music (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I am sorry if the reply I gave to the Senator was not exactly what he expected. I have outlined the commitment that has been made to the Cork School of Music and the vast sums of money that have been made available. I am not familiar with the plans for the future intake of students but I will consult the Minister and revert to the Senator on the issue.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: Have we discussed these amendments earlier?

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: The Senator has mixed them up with his Lotto numbers.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I thank Senator Doherty for his amendments. He has given us some food for thought. Section 70 provides for the award of an analogue television broadcasting contract to a television service programme provider and sets out certain terms and conditions that shall apply to the television service programme contractor, which is currently TV3. Section 70(2)(a) and (d) require the BAI to ensure...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: This is another amendment proposed by Senator Doherty. This is one in which we find a great deal of merit. The amendment proposes that a member of the board of RTE or TG4 be disqualified from board membership if he or she is a shareholder or director or is otherwise commercially involved with another broadcasting company. We agree with the thrust of the Senator's amendment, but I believe...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: By a private arrangement.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: To solve a row or a bet.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: Despite all the amendments, it is nice to observe the support all Senators have for this aspect of the Bill and for the Bill in general. Specifically on Senator O'Reilly's question, I am not sure about that. I will have to follow it up.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I will, even if it is bad news. On Senator Norris's point, in fairness to the Senator, he has been very generous with his archival material and we will do our best to ensure that the name of David Norris lives on long after he is gone.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: To follow up on what Senator Walsh said, a scheme shall provide for separate terms and conditions of licensing. There will be two aspects to that, the non-commercial aspect mainly for educational research purposes and the other aspect for commercial purposes. Section 114(1)(e) provides that an objective for RTE and TG4 is to maintain archives and they can use public funds for this purpose....

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: The proposed Oireachtas channel will allow for coverage of events in the European Parliament. In addition, section 114 (3)(b) provides that one of the principal objects of RTE is to "provide programmes of news and current affairs in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament".

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I propose to take amendments Nos. 101 to 103, inclusive, together relating to the operation of RTE's long wave service. As the Senators are aware, primary legislation in the main outlines objectives rather than the specific technology standards and parameters needed to support such objectives. This is a logical approach given the rapid pace of technology and service development. Section...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: We could debate this matter all night. RTE's decision to end its medium wave service is not really relevant to the Bill in many respects. However, the station indicated that the service was inefficient to operate and that very few people listened to it. Apparently 90% of people listen to its FM service and the remaining 10% listen on other frequencies. The FM service is able to provide...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: Amendments Nos. 47 and 48 to 58, inclusive, relate to the enforcement provisions proposed in the Bill. In the interests of fair procedures, amendments Nos. 47 and 48 require the compliance committee to afford a broadcasting or multiplex contractor who is the subject of an investigation under section 50 the opportunity to respond to the compliance committee in respect of the matter under...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: As Senators have said, section 67 provides for a fast-track procedure in respect of radio licences where the incumbent is the only group interested in broadcasting to the chosen franchise area. This section derives from the radio licensing review in 2004. It tries to address the complaints of incumbent radio stations that they have to go to the significant expense of putting together an...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: The Senator is a true Independent.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I would not like the Senator to think we would dismiss anything he says. Any requests or amendments he makes are always well thought out and reasonable but if we were to accept everything he proposed he would have to lose his tag of "Independent".

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: We will deal with the specific amendments. Section 69 provides for the final terms to be inserted in any broadcasting contract made by the BAI. Subsection (2)(e) requires a broadcaster to make a contractual commitment to the programme offering he or she has made at application stage. Section 66(2)(d) requires that one of the key criteria to be addressed by applicants and to be considered by...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I do not propose to accept——

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Seán Power: I also point to the requirement in section 96(5) for TG4 to endeavour to ensure that the members of the audience council of TG4 are proficient in the Irish language. Senator O'Toole presented a good case for amendments Nos. 89a and a90a. There is merit in what the Senator is proposing and as such I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, with a view to amending section 101 on Report Stage....