Seanad debates

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage

 

3:00 pm

Photo of Joe O'ReillyJoe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I am prepared to accept that as incorporating the spirit of the amendment. I would have preferred to see the amendment included in the legislation but if we have a commitment that there will be a provision on Report Stage for monitoring quality and quantity, I am pleased to accept the response on that basis.

Regarding the response of the Minister to the amendment concerning the Irish language, ba mhaith liom mo buíochas a ghabháil dos na Seanadóirí Bradford agus Doherty ar son an tacaíocht a thug siad dom. Tá mé buíoch dóibh mar is rud tábhachtach é seo. I understand what the Minister is saying but I disagree that there is no necessity to include a legislative provision for this matter. It is important to do so but I am open to negotiation, debate and examining the level of quota on Report Stage. The principle is a good one and protects and polices the situation. Future generations, future broadcasting authorities and future Ministers may be prepared to accept a dumbing down — to use contemporary phraseology — of the Irish language and the element of that in programming. The current situation is healthy, with the excellence of TG4 and the programming in Irish on national broadcast media and many local media outlets, but the legislation should protect us into the future. I cannot accept the Minister's response.

Regarding amendment No. 16 on religious programming, the principle is similar to the motion proposed regarding the Irish language. Whatever the hue, sect or denomination of religion, it is very important to the people. It is important day to day and as part of our heritage. It is part of our essence and being and we may be distracted from the fact that the great bulk of people in this country are practitioners of one religion or another. The bulk of people in the country are Christians, the larger number of which are Roman Catholics. There is great commitment to religious practice in this country and this is evident at the weekend and all the time. Religious practice, ritual and belief is central to our essence and I make no apology for stating that religion is important to me, my family and my friends. I would be the last to suggest that anyone is considering reducing the amount of religious programming or damaging it but the point is that we should enshrine in legislation a specific practical commitment.

I do not have the benefit of the eminent draftsmen who accompany the Minister and who have expertise in drafting legislation. We admire and value their expertise which the House needs. My phraseology refers to mandatory quotas but this could be tweaked. I have no difficulty if the draftsmen can put it in better language. We should accept the principle that our religious programming should continue, that there should be a quota of religious programming and that it should reflect people of all religious traditions and the value of religion to our people. It is an essential part of our existence.

Many of us decry the growth of secularism and an obsession with materialism that may have become pervasive in recent years. That courtship may be coming to an end, tragically, but that is a debate for another occasion. Creeping secularism may be linked to a reduction of focus in volunteerism and such values. We decry it because it exists up to a point but there is a mass of people who think otherwise and, in so far as that is becoming a phenomenon, it should be the last thing this House should endorse. This House has a responsibility, prerogative and function to do the reverse and to halt the tide of secularism and materialism. I ask the Minister to consider the quota system for religious programming to protect the quality of our broadcasting for future generations and for the sake of the rights of many people and the type of society that will evolve. These people tend to be a silent majority and do not speak out or appear on a vox populi. There are many people who are taxpayers, pensioners or other legitimate citizens who have contributed greatly to this country and who want religious programmes because it matters to them and they value it.

If we did not personally believe in the merit of religion, which is not a contention I would assert about anyone, we would still have a legislative responsibility in this area. It is of great importance and many people will be grateful if the Ministers does the big thing on this one. As he noticed when he helpfully suggested considering two amendments on Report Stage, I responded positively because we are here to get the legislation right. I will be equally accommodating if the Minister can suggest other ways of achieving this critical objective. If I could anticipate the Minister's response, it might be that the aspiration exists and the objective and ambition is included in the legislation, but it should be expressed practically in the legislation. Many people may not like to say it but they believe it firmly. Someone must speak for them.

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