Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I reiterate the points made by Senator Finucane. My amendment No. 5 proposes that a specified percentage of funding be allocated to community broadcasters. It is a pity the Bill does not go further in this regard. We made this point extensively on Second Stage. It has come up in the discussions between certain groups and the Minister's officials. The Bill is deficient in this regard.

Community media is a separate strand of media and has its own dynamic. One of the problems it faces concerns start up. Unlike commercial stations, it does not have a licence fee or investment so it needs help to get off the ground. This fund would have been an ideal vehicle to generate at least some of the start up costs associated with the establishment of a community radio or television station.