Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I neglected to mention the global issue, which the Minister dealt with in his reply to Senator Quinn. An opportunity will be lost if this issue is not examined. I will put down an amendment to that effect on Report Stage.

I would like to respond to Senator Quinn's proposal in respect of current affairs. His amendment suggests that current affairs be included in this fund. I fundamentally disagree with the Senator's suggestion, however. Speakers have referred to the fact that my sister works as a public service broadcaster, but they may not remember that I, too, once worked as a public service broadcaster in the news area of RTE. It is true that I know the cost of producing current affairs programmes, but I also know that a fundamental part of the brief of a public service broadcaster is to engage in investigative journalism. The Minister has reiterated this. It would be wrong to include current affairs and investigative journalism in this fund. Such a measure would undermine the public service broadcaster's responsibility in this regard.

Investigative journalism needs to be as independent as possible. It needs to operate behind closed doors, to a large extent, until it emerges into the open. A great deal of research needs to be done in a way that the public does not know about. One does not know how the programme one is working on will end up until one has concluded one's investigation and research. One can start looking at an issue in a particular way, but one may conclude by seeing it entirely differently. I disagree with Senator Quinn because I do not think this fund is suitable. I do not favour his amendment, based on my own experience.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 3 not moved.