Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

This is an interesting amendment and is one which has been facilitated by the Minister taking a proportion of the licensing fees and making it available to assist the independent broadcasting area as a whole.

I would like to concentrate on a variation of the amendment. Only certain parts of Northern Ireland receive the RTE1 and RTE2 signal. It behoves us to ensure Northern Ireland as a whole receives that signal. Some 95% of this fund will go to RTE and I ask that the Minister use his influence to ensure this important issue is addressed. RTE has, in fairness, produced some good programmes recently. I saw a programme the other evening about the death of John Condon from Waterford, the youngest soldier, at 14 years of age, to be killed in the First World War. Such programmes broaden our scope of thinking and are conducive to the type of climate we are trying to create in Ireland.

I know it is not intended that TV3 will receive money from the fund. That channel is doing a good job. Likewise, anything that would assist it to extend its signal across Northern Ireland would also be welcomed. I am able to receive the BBC, Northern Ireland and UTV signals in the heartland of republican Wexford. These channels help to expand our thinking and comprehension of different cultures on this island. We should ensure people in Northern Ireland can receive signals for all channels as is the case here. Television is a powerful medium which can assist dramatically in creating a better understanding between our various traditions which, in turn, will be of great assistance to the reconciliation process and to creating a common identity rather than concentrating on the issues that divide us, which are far fewer.