Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their comments. I will preface my remarks by saying that I am not against the spirit of what Senators are trying to achieve. I genuinely feel that the context in which Senators are trying to amend the legislation is already taken into account in section 2 which sufficiently reflects Irish cultural heritage and experience. Section 2(1)(a)(vii) deals with the Irish experience in a European and international context.

I reiterate the point I made in this regard on Committee Stage. The issues raised by Senator Jim Walsh are dealt with in the context of RTE's commitment to its public service broadcasting, particularly in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and other agreements which set out the view that there be a transfer of broadcasting, North and South. RTE already has that onus upon it. Equally, TV3 has some commitments in this respect, but it is a purely commercial organisation, and the onus is different. The issue of Irish culture in the international experience is well catered for in the Bill. I was taken with what Senator Ó Murchú said about the Chinese people with whom he mixed in Ireland, who thought that we should not constantly insist on other cultures in this society but should instead endeavour to retain our own culture. The genesis of this Bill was a desire to place slightly greater emphasis on issues to do with Irish culture, North, South, internationally and in the European context. This is adequately catered for in the Bill.