John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the House to discuss the composition of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. A decision by the commission to refuse a licence for the new franchise area of Carlow-Kilkenny to the existing Radio Kilkenny franchise holders has caused a great deal of controversy in Kilkenny. The franchise holders held the franchise for 12 years. Radio Kilkenny had the second highest listenership figures for local radio and was community operated and managed.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to the House. I requested his presence previously to discuss the tourism industry but I would also like to discuss the level of preparedness for the Special Olympics next year. It will be a major occasion and I worry whether we are prepared for it.