Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions, which I found interesting and incisive. The latter is probably due to the fact that people were given an opportunity to receive a briefing from my officials.

My ability, as Minister, and our ability, as a nation, to become involved in this issue derives from the EU directive. There is often criticism in Ireland that EU directives have a negative effect on issues. In this instance, the directive sought to address the conflicting questions of broadcasting across frontiers while simultaneously protecting nation states and their desire to retain some of their own identity. From that point of view, the directive is to be welcomed.

The directive asks that we should be proportionate in anything we do. I understand the views expressed on both sides of the House with regard to why some things were included and others were not. I assure Members that all the arguments were teased out, not just at governmental or departmental level, but in the consultation process, which was totally transparent. The relevant documents are available for public viewing. They were previously on the Department's website but I am not sure if that is still the case. The documents show what was said by the representatives of those organisations which participated. I thank Senator Norris for his comments in relation to some people who did not appear. I would have thought that, in the circumstances, if there was an argument in regard to this, those organisations would have participated. To be fair, representatives of Sky Television appeared at the event and, if I recall correctly, intervened.