Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I have always had an interest in broadcasting. I can look back to the early years of community radio, which was the forerunner of local radio, at that time sponsored by RTE. I was also involved in the foundation of Tipperary Mid West Radio. I was a founding director of Dublin 98FM, and I have served on a liaison committee with RTE for over 30 years. Senators will recall that I made a very strong case for RTE last time. In fairness, I had to do that, since I felt it had made a huge contribution to broadcasting, including the areas that we are now discussing in the motion.

I can fully understand some of the points being put forward by Senator O'Meara. The heart tends to agree with quite a few of the sentiments in all the amendments, but the head might give a little word of caution to be careful down the line. I am always a little worried at such times, when we start broadening definitions. One might almost say that it is the same argument as that for community radio. It is the very same idea. I do not want to see the parameters being extended at the moment. I know the word "multicultural" does not show up, meaning that one can assume the diversity mentioned in the amendment could be that of Irish culture, heritage and experience. That is a very broad definition to start with. I am sure everyone in the Chamber is quite clear, but lest anyone outside think that in some way we wanted to exclude some definition of Irish culture, history or experience, that is not the case, nor has it, in fairness, been the case in most broadcasting on the island for many years. It should not be so, for that would undermine the very credibility of broadcasting itself.