Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Morrissey regarding the proposed changes to the driving test. They are pretty basic, involving checking oil levels and how to hoot one's horn. Why is nothing serious being done about the long backlog for driving tests throughout the country? In my area of Newcastle West the waiting period is nine months. If the Department was serious in intent, then instead of introducing the changes suggested it would appoint more driving testers in order to get rid of the backlog. The Minister would in that way take some serious action regarding our roads, the number of provisional licences and the impact of motor insurance on young people. I would like to see the Minister address the issue because the numbers awaiting driving tests are not decreasing.

In December 2003 we debated in this House the broadcasting funding Bill. Its objective at the time was to allow for special types of radio and television programmes which might require a lot of research on our history, culture, language and so on. Many speakers contributed to that debate. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland was to draw up a scheme of criteria regarding such programmes. Some 14 months later, as a result of 5% of the television fee going directly to the BCI, it now has funds of €17 million. The BCI has not spent a single euro of this money so far and I do not think it has even told the Minister yet what type of programme criteria must be adhered to in order for the funding to be accessed. Will the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, ask the BCI when the scheme will be implemented and when the funding will be disbursed for appropriate programmes fulfilling the criteria involved?