Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 November 2003

Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.

 

I do not speak for the commercial sector but I rhetorically put the question of whether any Member of this House seriously believes that stations like FM104 or 98FM will seek money from the Minister or the BCI under this fund with the obligations inherent in applying for it? It is my view as a broadcaster, for what it is worth, that the overwhelming majority of applications will come from the very sector to which Senator Finucane and Senator O'Meara referred, the community and non-profit making sector. They will not come, in the main, from the commercial radio sector because that sector will see this as a further imposition on their schedules. Once they apply for and receive money from the BCI, they are legally obliged to meet the criteria under the fund. I do not see the commercial sector overwhelming the community or non-profit sector in this regard. I cannot see that happening; it is not a runner.

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