Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Earlier today I was speaking to some of my colleagues who commented on the quality of the amendments to this Bill, particularly those tabled by Senator Mullen. There is a lot of common sense in his amendments.

Undoubtedly, television in particular — and radio to a lesser extent — is a very influential medium. It moulds, to a great degree, public opinion on a broad range of issues. Often it does so for the good, but sometimes the converse is true. There are many good programmes on television and TG4 in particular has been an excellent addition to the television landscape here. BBC 2 also broadcasts a lot of very good documentaries. However, one must say that many programmes on television are rubbish. Many are canned, made very cheaply and are promotional more than anything else.

We must safeguard balance in the media. It is somewhat like eating — one must have a balanced diet to be healthy. It is the same with what one consumes from the media. It is important, as Senators Norris and Mullen pointed out, that we try to maintain quality. If one examines what is broadcast, particularly in the off-peak hours, one can see a problem. I believe "Dr. Phil", for example, is on RTE during the day, an American import. I pick that as one example, but there are many others. If one was a retired person looking for a bit of diversion during the day and one tuned into some of these programmes, it would not be long before one would go mad or wish that one was dead. Certainly one would not see great potential in one's retirement. We need, as part of this Bill, to ensure that the diet that is available to people is of a higher quality than is currently the case.

In that regard, I very much welcome the Oireachtas channel and, in particular, I welcome the fact that it will include local authorities. That is a very significant development. Many Senators were long-serving members of local authorities. I remember a situation where a delegation from Newtownards, including members of the DUP and the UUP, addressed Wexford County Council on a range of issues. Wexford county councillors reciprocated with a visit to Newtownards. Similar events took place with other councils, including Belfast City Council. At that time, the cross-fertilisation of ideas and the understanding generated was fairly significant in the overall political context of the island. If such meetings had wider dissemination, their beneficial influence would have been multiplied. It is a pity we did not have more of that. I hope the Oireachtas channel will be given the necessary resources so that it is effective and is not just the broadcasting of council meetings or sittings of the Houses of the Oireachtas but also includes some follow-up connection with the politicians and public who are affected by decisions that are made.

Perhaps we should consider the option of developing regional television programmes. In fairness to RTE, it makes some efforts in this regard, but they are mostly token in nature. Local radio has the highest cumulative listenership in the country and produces a lot of very interesting programmes. While I know there would be a cost involved, I would like to see us embarking on such a venture. Perhaps the Oireachtas channel, with the issues that are thrown up, could be a conduit for addressing the deficit that exists at present in our broadcasting system.

The heritage channel is a good idea. I said on Second Stage that I see no reason we could not have a GAA channel, which could be part of a heritage channel, given that Gaelic games are very much part of what we are as a people. There is tremendous interest in our national games. A few nights ago I tuned into UTV and watched an early premiership game from last season. It was a game I had not seen and I enjoyed it. Celtic Football Club has a great archive of films going back to the 1960s and 1970s, the good years for the team. We have a great history of sport in this country and a tremendous interest in it. Whether it is exclusively a GAA channel or a broader sports channel, there is a great opportunity in this regard.

I voted against amendment No. 16 out of party loyalty and because I was opposed to its mandatory nature but I did agree with the general sentiments of the amendment. Religion is a benefit to society and needs to be presented more. The former bishop of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey, established a Christian media trust for the broadcasting of religious programmes on South East Radio. All the Christian religions broadcast several programmes which often are peripheral to religion but related to society and are interesting. The national broadcaster should be obliged to provide a similar service. The Bill provides an opportunity to enhance our broadcasting system and provide a healthier and interesting broadcasting choice to the public.