Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Mullen's worthy amendment because the concept of a heritage channel is a good one. I said on Second Stage that I am a complete believer in and enthusiastic advocate for the film channel and the Oireachtas channel. The former has considerable potential. I will move an amendment about the financing of this to which we will come later. It has immense potential to uplift and improve all our lives. It will bring quality films. Many people have a specific niche interest in certain films which will be available on that channel. It is a wonderful and excellent development and I am all for it.

Similarly, I am all in favour of the Oireachtas channel. We have worked very hard today on this broadcasting legislation. We have heard many superb contributions and have had a very real engagement with it. This, along with Dáil proceedings, should be available for the electorate to see on an ongoing basis.

In welcoming the Minister of State to the House, I repeat what I said on Second Stage and to the Minister on Committee Stage. Over time and in a selective fashion, local authority proceedings should be broadcast on an ongoing basis on the Oireachtas channel in addition to the business of the Houses of the Oireachtas because wonderful front-line democratic work is done in our local authorities.

The concept of a heritage channel is a very good one. I accept the point, which was well made by Senator Norris, that we do not need to have a narrow interpretation of heritage. Peig Sayers and Gaelic stories are a significant part of our heritage, of which we are very proud. Similarly, we must have a more eclectic and global perspective on it. I have no difficulty accepting the qualification by Senator Norris that heritage is not for narrow definition. It is a wonderful opportunity to show archival material, programmes such as "Reeling In the Years", excellent programmes from the past with which older people might identify and would like to see again, and re-runs of a range of current affairs programmes, especially "Prime Time Investigates", at certain times to facilitate other audiences. There is a wide range of elements to our heritage, including jazz and the full range of music and cinema. Our people are more educated now and we have a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. That would all have to gain expression in a heritage channel. The cultures of immigrants are as worthy of expression as any others.

The concept is a good one and Senator Mullen is to be commended for proposing this initiative. Although I am not an expert, it occurs to me that this is something that could be run relatively cheaply in that a lot of material would be already available and the amount of new programming required need not be prohibitively large. I also see no reason advertising, with proper control in terms of amount and content, could not be a feature of such a channel to defray some of the costs. As proposed by Senator Mullen, the channel need not be prohibitively expensive and the potential for advertising should be considered.

Although I do not believe Senator Mullen is arguing to the contrary, a point arose at our group discussions on this amendment earlier today that is worth mentioning. We must ensure that this channel in no way suggests that we would not still need a good quantity of programming in mainstream media that is aimed at older people, reflecting their interests and ambitions. We would not like to syphon all such programming off to a separate station per se, and I hope Senator Mullen will accept that on the record, as some of my colleagues were concerned about that issue. We must ensure that quality broadcasting for older persons remains in the mainstream media but a heritage channel, as such, is an interesting and worthwhile objective. Such a channel need not necessarily be the preserve of older persons. While it may be of particular relevance to some of them, there is no reason it could not have a broad appeal. It could be of particular interest to those arriving here, whether on holidays or to live, enabling them to get a flavour of the country. Were I to go to live in another country tomorrow, such a channel would be of enormous help at the beginning. It would be of great benefit in terms of getting a sense of a place, its culture and its heritage.

In terms of cost, efficacy and the potential for development, the notion of a heritage channel is a good one which we should embrace, but its development must be somewhat incremental. The Minister may argue that there is an initial prohibition in terms of cost but that could be addressed with advertising. He should consider an incremental building up of the channel. We can negotiate those kinds of details but we should accept the principle. I commend Senator Mullen for the idea, which merits further discussion. I could say a lot more, but in deference to my colleagues, I will desist. The channel is worthy of support and is an exciting proposition. The Senator is to be warmly congratulated on it.