Seanad debates

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage

 

2:00 pm

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Each of the amendments Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, proposes a range of changes in the objectives as set out in section 25. This section, by its nature, is focused on high-level goals and objectives of the broadcasting authority of Ireland, BAI, and does not dwell on specifics. Amendments Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, seek to add specific issues or actions related to the objectives as stated but these are already dealt with in other sections which deal with the BAI and its role.

The issue of sign language and subtitling referred to in amendment No. 13, is dealt with comprehensively in section 43 in the broadcasting rules where the BAI is given clear tasks in this regard. I will use this opportunity to refer to certain developments in this area because a certain progress has been made over the past three years following on the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's rules on levels and standards of promotions for the four terrestrial channels of RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4 and TV3. We do not have similar control over channels such as Setanta Sports because it is outside the jurisdiction of the BCI and, consequently and regrettably, it does not make subtitling available. For those channels which provide subtitling, there is a requirement for RTE 1 to move to a target of 100% subtitling over a ten-year period and for TV3 to reach a target of 60% in that ten-year period. The target for RTE means 100% subtitling within that 18-hour period rather than 24 hour-period and it is a similar period for TV3.

Further provisions already in place are that all television programmes funded by the Sound and Vision scheme are required to have subtitling available. The Bill also sets out in detailed provisions that the BAI, which will assume responsibility for the area, would have to review such access rules around subtitling and language every two years and include a progress report in its annual report. A key requirement is stitched in which includes improved service targets, especially for RTE and TV3. There is also a reporting mechanism in that two-year report. We can perhaps include in that report a review of subtitling quality where such concerns arise. It is not the case that we are inactive or lacking ambition in this area. I cannot accept the amendment because in this section we are dealing with much wider goals. Subsequent sections deal in more detail with issues such as sign language and subtitling.

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