Seanad debates

Wednesday, 15 October 2003

Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion.

 

It has already been mentioned that the radio station in my area has gone through some rocky patches in terms of viability but, through good leadership by many people, including the late Seán Kelly of the ICMSA, the station was turned around. This station epitomised for me what local radio was intended to be. There was community involvement in presentation and programmes. Nobody could be critical of the professionalism of the station and loyalty to it was built up throughout the years. We must achieve a balance between the loyalty and satisfaction of the local community and a pseudo-professional approach to the service. In the Tipperary case, the pendulum swung too far. It should have been possible for us to have ensured that the two stations there could continue and compete and possibly make the potential market a little less lucrative for a commercial takeover by one of the other stations, which seem to be adding many prizes to their baskets at present.

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