Seanad debates
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I hope this new approach to funding will not encourage commercial broadcasters to think that they have no additional public service responsibilities except under this scheme. I am aware that this Bill is enabling legislation and it will be up to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to devise a detailed scheme for the Minister's approval. In an area like broadcasting, it is impossible to forecast what will and will not work. There must be room for a certain amount of learning as we go along. I am not sure if there is sufficient flexibility in the Bill to allow subsequent changes in the scheme approved by the Minister. If there is not, then we can look at it on Committee Stage.
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