Joe O'Toole (Independent)

A Leas-Chathaoirligh, caithfidh mé a rá gur thug tú an-sheans ar fad do mo chomhghleacaithe ar an dtaobh eile den seomra. Ba mhaith liom cur leis an méid atá ráite aige mar gheall ar an reachtaíocht seo. Bronnaim mo chomhghairdeas ar an tAire Stáit as ucht an jab nua ata faighte aige. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go breá leis. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil an-chuid oibre curtha isteach sa Bhille seo. It really is comprehensive, very impressive and quite significant. That there is so little criticism thereof is a tribute not only to the Department and Minister but also to the advisers and those who put it together. Members are adding to it and using it as an opportunity to forward proposals.

I want to take up the point made by an Seanadóir Ó Murchú mar gheall ar an méid oibre atá déanta ag RTE, go mórmhór ó thaobh cur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachtaí de agus ó thaobh TG4 a bhunú. That TG4 is moving off on its own is an important cultural point. It is important that this be marked and dealt with legislatively.

We often criticise RTE — I am a regular critic myself — but it is important that the State recognise that there are programmes made by RTE that no independent or commercial provider could make or afford to make. I balance this statement by advocating the need for support structures for independent producers at other levels. It is important to recognise the work done by RTE in providing programmes for children and for minorities and by keeping Lyric FM on the go all the time to keep us all sane from 1.40 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. in the afternoon and at various other times of day.

It is also important to note the cultural work RTE has done and its support, stitched into this legislation, for choirs, orchestras, etc. I wonder how many Members realise RTE has provided Sunday night drama unbroken for approximately 50 years. There is no money in this and the audience is small but it must be recognised. This is another field in which independent radio producers could have a greater input. I acknowledge they have an input to aspects of documentaries and so on at present. The "Documentary on One" is another superb piece of radio. A programme such as "Farm Week", to which I have referred in the House many times previously, provides an extraordinary focus on rural Ireland. While it is well produced, it is costly because it covers an entire island for a small audience. I also refer to one of my favourite programmes in which I have a vested interest, namely, "Sunday Miscellany", which also captures a small but important audience. In such matters, one depends on RTE.

Where does the licence money go or where is it used? When watching coverage of the American elections, I like to see an RTE correspondent speaking from the US. That said, at one point I questioned the reason so many RTE staff were over there during the election campaign, which as an issue pertains to management. However, I prefer to hear their views than to tune into other stations and to listen to different voices and perspectives. While these also are important, I enjoy them all the more when I have access to an Irish view as well. This is not to be racist, nationalist, insular or introspective in any way. It simply pertains to getting coverage of breadth and comprehension, which is very important. I refer to election coverage and the amount of money RTE puts into it. It places people in every count centre in the country and no commercial station could afford to or would do this. It is important to put on record that Members require RTE to do such things. If it does not do them well, Members criticise it, etc.

The "Oireachtas Report" programme has been mentioned. As I listened to the Leader of the House speak earlier about the extraordinary contributions made in this Chamber, I felt my chest go out and my back straighten and felt myself to be a person of significant importance. However, I wish to put on record that what RTE does in this regard is recognised and valued. It should be aware that when Members criticise it on particular issues, they do so from that context. Tá sin thar a bheith tábhachtach.

I am absolutely intrigued by section 113, which goes to the trouble of changing the name of Radio Telefís Éireann to Radio Teilfís Éireann, that is, changing the spelling of "Telefís" to "Teilifís". Is this due to standardisation or to someone who has a clear view? I do not complain, as I like attention to be given to names. The same attention should be given to placenames in Ireland, some of which are absolutely appalling in their lack of connection.