Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill and consider it an honour and privilege that it is printed in my name to present for the consideration and approval of Seanad Éireann. As someone who was a Member of the Seanad in 1988 and 1989, when the last Bill on broadcasting was considered, we have come a long way and achieved much with regard to licensed and unlicensed broadcasting, as it was at the time.

The success of local radio has been incredible and I congratulate everyone associated with the creation and building up of local radio to what we all know today. The strength of local radio is in the meaning of "local". These stations provide an interesting service to local areas and that is the reason they are so successful. In terms of the down side of local radio, I can say honestly it was never our intention as legislators in 1988 and 1989 to make millionaires out of the many people who sold on licences given to them by the people and the Legislature. Perhaps this Bill will stop that practice. I like to see people and industry progressing, as local radio has, but the ethos of staying local is of the utmost importance, particularly with regard to news bulletins.

Before the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, leaves us, I congratulate him on his appointment. It was one of the most uplifting appointments in the new Cabinet and I know many people are looking forward to his stewardship and ministry for the next four years, and perhaps longer. I wish him well for all he has done for Ireland until now and I know what he will do as a member of the new Cabinet. I welcome our near neighbour and colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, from County Kildare. I also congratulate him on his appointment. I had the great distinction and honour of serving with his father, a Minister, in the Houses many years ago.

To return to local radio, our duty of meeting the need and creating the local radio experience has been an enormous success. I wholeheartedly congratulate everybody associated with the issue. Since we introduced that Bill, TG4 has been created. That station is a credit to Cathal Goan, who has gone on to become Director General of RTE. He played a major role in setting up TG4, as it formed part of his vision and commitment to Ireland. He is a great Irishman with foresight that has given us the success of TG4. It is an outstanding station and it is tremendous to watch an Irish station giving the Irish people what the majority wish to see on their televisions.

The appointment of an authority must be welcomed, particularly with the input from a committee of the Houses. I am a member of that committee and look forward to playing a further part in this area. I was a vice chairman of the committee on broadcasting services. As Senator Quinn has stated, we can take much from the success of the C-SPAN example in America. I look forward to working with the new person with responsibility on this matter.

Professionals who know the industry and know the wares to put in the shop window to sell to the public should be allowed become members of the board. These would include members of the Irish Film Board and those who make their living in the film industry. The great ambassadors for our country should be included on the board, as well as those involved in the Irish music industry. I am thinking specifically of our great success stories, such as Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, U2 and the Cranberries. We have had great ambassadors all over the world selling the new Ireland. These people are leaders in their fields and should be members of this board. I would like the Minister to consider what I have proposed.

One issue I wish to emphasise is the setting up of a new Oireachtas channel. I am convinced the spirit of the people would be uplifted if they were to see the good work and hear the uplifting contributions being made here — especially in Seanad Éireann — by people who have enormous experience and who have given their life's blood to other industries before coming in here. Members of the public would be delighted to hear debates on the merits of a Bill, statements on topical issues or other contributions made in Seanad Éireann. I look forward to the channel being set up and I know it will also show the proceedings of the Dáil in the light it deserves.

We are thankful for the snapshot every night provided to us by "Oireachtas Report". Live broadcasting of the Order of Business in the Seanad, followed by the business of the Dáil and the important issues discussed in depth by the committees would attract a large public audience, potentially 10% of the population. Our young people, whether in primary school, second level or third level could watch the affairs of the Houses that would be of interest to them. We should consider how to broaden the constituency viewership and the interest in politics in general by showing the deliberations of Members and the scrutiny of Parliament when legislation is processed on matters that impact on the daily lives of our people. The good work being done by Members in the national interest would be then seen by the general public, hopefully in unedited form. The Irish people can look forward to this service. I assure the House that I will do anything I can as Leader of Seanad Éireann to ensure the Oireachtas channel is brought on-line. It is disheartening when Members spend two to three hours preparing 20 to 30 minute contributions for delivery in the Dáil or Seanad and they do not get a mention on radio, television or in the print media. Such work is generally done in consultation with Library assistants and the secretariat.

We must encourage young people to become Members of the Oireachtas and we should show our appreciation to them. Those of us who have been Members of the Oireachtas for some time and who have experience in reviewing the challenges facing new and young Members must encourage the setting up of this channel as fast as possible.

The Bill is a review of the 1988 legislation, which takes us into the new technological era of the 21st century. This is certainly a great challenge and I appreciate the Minister taking it into the Seanad first in order that we can express our opinions on it. I am pleased the Bill was printed in my name for presentation to the House. I welcome the Bill and look forward to its safe passage through the House.