Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Quinn was the first person I know of who lived by a planned diary with regard to the time he could spend on various issues and in various places. I have no difficulty with affording time for a debate on the use of resources.

With regard to the debate on the Broadcasting Bill which follows the Order of Business, we have been trying for eight to ten years to have an Oireachtas channel to broadcast proceedings. The Seanad stands to benefit most from this new broadcast facility, because it offers us the opportunity of Seanad reform with regard to changing the time of the Order of Business so that citizens can see our deliberations and be informed of the workings of the House at first hand and unedited. I look forward to this happening. Such broadcasts have been very successful for our near neighbours in the United Kingdom and in the United States.

I certainly want support on section 121 of the Bill so that this may happen. We have the hardware such as cameras in place. Therefore, it would not require significant investment to ensure every home in Ireland would be able to watch the affairs of the Oireachtas. How uplifting that would be from the educational point of view for primary, secondary and third level students. They could watch the proceedings of both Houses and of committees on a daily basis. The Bill provides an opportunity to us parliamentarians to ensure this happens and bring the news of Oireachtas proceedings to the people in their homes.