Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The existing current affairs requirements apply to all broadcasters. Part of the commitment given by RTE in the context of its large licence fee increase was that it would increase its current affairs and news programming by a sizeable percentage. Other broadcasters are obliged, under the terms of their licences, to provide a certain level of current affairs output. Senator Mooney said earlier that many such broadcasters do not like to provide such output because it is very costly.

My original point relating to the fund was that we are not establishing a broad-brush fund, but a fund specific to certain areas. I am reluctant to accept amendments that would broaden the focus of the fund because they would take away from the specific idea that underpins it, which is that issues relating to Irish culture and heritage need more emphasis than they receive from RTE and, more particularly, from the independent broadcasting sector.

I do not think there is a need to amend the Bill in the manner suggested by Senator O'Meara. There are specific references to Irish culture, heritage and experience throughout the Bill, especially in sections 2 and 3. These references account for all cultures on the island of Ireland and I do not think that there is a need for change in this regard.