Mary Henry (Independent)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 4, line 30, after "television" to insert "and digital radio mondiale".

The Government amendments are welcome but I would prefer if the Minister accepted our amendments because they are more specific. It is not enough to insert "a sound broadcasting service", we must specify what we want.

This service will not just be for people in Britain, where there are many Irish people and people interested in Ireland and the programmes broadcast on RTE. I may have criticised RTE radio on Second Stage but it is obvious that I listen to it. Its programmes are of value, my criticisms are to get back programmes I wanted but that have been taken away from me or to suggest they should be broadcast at more suitable times. There are plenty of people on mainland Europe, such as my son who lives in France, who would listen. If we included "digital radio mondiale", they would be in a position to receive sound radio. The programmes are worth listening to and many English speakers in continental Europe, such as those who have retired to Spain, or others who may have sight problems and rely on radio for information, enjoy RTE radio as a good source of information.

I complain sometimes about the music programmes or the lateness of the arts programmes but we should spread our wings further and consider this amendment, which is more specific than "a sound broadcasting service", which would leave a great deal to the broadcaster to decide.