Seanad debates
Tuesday, 11 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
This amendment relates to Irish culture, heritage and experience. I wish to make two points, one of which relates specifically to the amendment and another which does not relate to it. However, I wish to make it anyway because I intend to raise it on Report Stage and I alert the Minister to that fact. The object of the amendment is to substitute the words "on Irish culture, heritage and experience" with "the diversity of culture, heritage and experience on the island of Ireland". It is specifically designed to broaden the definition, and the whole vision, of Irish culture in the legislation. I hope the Minister will see the amendment's intention for what it is, namely to be helpful, using the opportunity to encompass a broader notion of Irish culture than that set out in the draft legislation. It is not my understanding or assumption that the wording is designed to be narrow in its interpretation of Irish culture. However, the amendment is designed to use the legislation to set down a marker that Irish culture is somewhat broader, encompassing the whole island. For instance, it would certainly include the culture of Ulster, which is obviously a very important integral part of our culture to which we should be seen to extend an encompassing hand in our definition. That is the purpose of the amendment, which does not rule out Irish experience abroad either, covering it further on in the section.
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