Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The report from the Oireachtas committee was timely. It is important that we have the opportunity to discuss this report, mainly because of the debate that has been taking place throughout the country, some of which is quite animated. There was much confusion about the future of existing radio stations and the method of granting licences. It is important to provide a focus in addition to the work being undertaken by the Minister. Much of the debate was to do with people's realisation of the potential of local radio. They had seen at first hand the results of many of the stations not only in terms of reflecting community aspirations and issues, but also in terms of the professionalism that existed in those stations. One of the biggest fears when local radio was initially established was that we would not have a professional service, but, by and large, we have been successful in that regard.