Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I move amendment No. 17:

In page 33, subsection (1), lines 5 to 17, to delete paragraphs (a) to (c) and substitute the following:

"(a) prepare a strategy for the provision of broadcasting services in the State additional to those provided by RTÉ, TG4, the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel, the Irish Film Channel, and the Heritage Channel,

(b) prepare a strategy statement under section 29(1),

(c) direct the Contract Awards Committee to make arrangements, in accordance with this Act, to invite, consider and recommend to the Authority, and the Authority shall follow such recommendation, proposals for the provision of broadcasting services additional to any broadcasting services provided by RTÉ, TG4, the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel, the Irish Film Channel and the Heritage Channel under this Act,".

These amendments relate almost exclusively to my proposal that the Bill provide not only for RTE, TG4, a new Houses of the Oireachtas channel and an Irish film channel but also for a heritage channel. This is the effect of amendment No. 17. Many people are not served to the extent they might be by current broadcasting schedules. Lyric FM is a good example of a radio station that caters to the need of a particular segment of the market through high quality programming paid for by the taxpayer. The proposed Houses of the Oireachtas channel will, I hope, facilitate greater public awareness of the business of our national Parliament but it would be naive to suggest it will enjoy prime time ratings. It will attract the interest of people who follow more closely than others the business of politics on a day to day basis and it would also be good if, in addition to the business of the Houses of the Oireachtas and its committees, attention was paid to activities in county council chambers and so on. The Irish film channel proposed by the Government is welcome. Such a channel would fill a gap in the current schedule by bringing to public attention the achievements of Irish film makers and our great cultural heritage in this area.

However, all these channels will appeal to relatively small numbers of people. The heritage channel I propose will fill a gap in public service provision in television. I think, in particular but not exclusively, of older people. More than 25,000 people are in nursing homes. I stress I am only using one group as an example and I do not claim my proposal addresses the needs of all older persons. Television is an important daily companion to older people in nursing homes and elsewhere around the country and they spend a disproportionate time watching programmes. I have often had the experience of visiting nursing homes where people watch programmes they like but at 5 p.m. or 5.30 p.m. the channel is changed and they are subjected to "The Bill" or another programme with violent scenes, which are not appropriate to family friendly viewing. I do not say some people would not choose of their own accord to watch "The Bill" or "Judge Judy" and so on but many others watch television without necessarily choosing the channels they view. In addition, I refer to the Irish abroad and tourists in the context of my proposal.

Many subsections of society could benefit from a heritage channel, which would take into account the needs of people across the generations. Its programming should always be suitable for people of all ages and it should celebrate the best of our culture, which would appeal to an older age group. The content should include traditional music, sport and programming currently provided by TG4. It should draw on RTE's extensive archive of documentary and cultural programming while focusing on chat shows, light entertainment and reminiscence. Similar programming can be found on several channels currently but they only hit it in spots. What about people who watch television for a large portion of the day?

The heritage channel would bring out the best of our culture in terms of entertainment, music and chat shows. The popularity of the History Channel highlights the appetite for quality programming in this area. Many people would like to watch programmes stored in the RTE archive. I met a journalist yesterday who said he would watch a heritage channel. I said it might broadcast "All Creatures Great and Small" more often and he said, "Then I would definitely watch it". We can take on a trendy mentality and found a channel for Irish film, which is wonderful, but we should think about the needs of a wider section of our community, which is less vocal. I include older people in general and persons in nursing homes.

I have tabled other amendments that propose a minimum level of content aimed at the interests and tastes of person aged over 65. However, the heritage channel should be friendly to viewers of different ages and take into account traditional music and culture while drawing on RTE's extensive archive and making programmes oriented towards people of limited mobility. The channel should be free of the exploitative advertising that sometimes accompanies day time programme, which plays on people's insecurities and appeals to their fears and so on. I hope my proposal commends itself to the Minister of the State. If we are to consider providing niche products such as the Houses of the Oireachtas channel and the Irish film channel, we should acknowledge the large number of people who are disproportionately high users of television and whose needs do not receive much attention. That is the thrust of my proposals. Older persons in nursing homes should not be stuck with "Judge Judy" or "The Bill". A channel should be accessible at any time of the day that one would be happy to have one's loved ones watching. It should provide television that educates, informs and entertains, as Lord Reith, found director general of the BBC, said.

I intend to table an amendment on Report Stage to address the need for a heritage radio channel because many elderly people also rely greatly on the radio. I have turned the radio on for a loved one when a nice programme was being broadcast but found myself wondering what the hell they would have to listen to two or three hours later and whether they would be able to switch the channel. It is almost glib to say that but it is the reality for many people. It is not where one would start when considering the provision of services for older persons. It must be recognised that many older people are active and they should be encouraged and supported but we have the opportunity to address the needs of a large section of the community in my proposal.

These amendments hinge on amendment No. 106, which provides that RTE shall establish the heritage channel whose principal purpose will be programming material relating to our heritage and culture. That will be a matter for programme makers but I hope it would not exclude programming targeted, for example, at older persons who might benefit from medical advice and various motivational activities. The amendment also provides that RTE may enter into contracts to establish and maintain the channel and it provides for the exclusion of advertisements and materials that would constitute a direct offer to the public. This is an opportunity for us to put a large number of people who are less vocal than other sections in society at the centre of our public broadcasting remit. Were this amendment accepted, the other four amendments would make the necessary changes to other sections to include the heritage channel.