Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 November 2003

Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.

 

The Senator should seriously consider this matter. It is a national disgrace that up to recently there was no diversity in broadcasting in this city. There was little alternative to RTE's public service concept. The vast majority of licences issued in this city have been, up to now, for music-driven radio programmes. Such licences have not been issued for any of the worthy, noble aspirations contained in this Bill. That is a disgrace. I say that as a broadcaster, a listener and as a politician without fear or favour. That situation should never have developed. There should have been much more diversity in the granting of licences in the greater Dublin area because it has deprived a huge volume of people of diversity in radio programming. The Minister should, perhaps, be complimented on introducing this initiative which might wake them up and increase listenership in the greater Dublin area. I am referring specifically to that sector. It must be remembered that two thirds of our population can access Dublin radio stations. That is not widely known. Anyone who travels the roads of Ireland knows one can pick up Dublin stations at least 70 to 80 miles away from the city.

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