Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 32, subsection (2)(d), line 29, after "disabilities" to insert "requiring the use of sign language and sub-titles".

These amendments propose to make the use of sign language and subtitles in programming a legal requirement. The objective is to ensure the full enjoyment of programmes by persons with hearing impairment. Sign language and subtitles should be designated in the Bill rather than just being implicit in it. We should be explicit as to the entitlements of hearing-impaired people. I draw the attention of the Minister to the fact that subtitling, in so far as it exists on programmes such as the news and "Prime Time", is neither accurate nor timely. There tends to be subtitling of a question asked by a reporter which appears when the question is being answered. Subtitling does not coincide with the speaker and this is a technical adjustment which should be made and which I presume would be achieved with the proper expenditure. It is very important that both this House and the other House should be unambiguous about their commitment to hearing-impaired people and to people who labour under any disability because, needless to say, none of us knows the day or the hour when that list will include ourselves.

This amendment would enhance the Bill because it would give a full legislative expression to the view that there should be subtitling and the use of sign language at all times to ensure hearing-impaired people get full enjoyment from programmes. It is an exciting amendment with great potential. It would be symbolic for the Government to accept the amendment. I appeal to the Minister to accept it on the level of symbolism and as a message to our hearing-impaired people. This in itself would not be enough to justify the amendment so I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment as a practical step to ensure the use of the most up-to-date subtitling and use of sign language for hearing-impaired people is legislatively enshrined. This may be properly more an issue for Second Stage but in presenting the amendment I ask the Minister, whom I acknowledge as proactive in all these areas, to examine urgently at the quality of subtitling as it exists. I propose this worthy amendment to enhance the legislation and I ask the Minister to accept it in the spirit in which it is intended.