Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I thank my colleagues, Senators Doherty, Quinn, Norris, O'Reilly and Bradford, for their general support for this provision. The Minister of State said it is not needed as the issue is somehow addressed in the Bill. However, the question that must be answered is what harm would it do to include these subsections. They would at least have the effect of drawing to the notice of public service broadcasters, commercially-minded broadcasters, the need to have regard to the needs, interests and tastes of older members of our society. Even if this were purely aspirational or was capable of being achieved by the Bill as drafted, I do not understand the reason it cannot be included as a specific matter.

Section 101, which relates to the public services broadcasting charter, makes specific reference to another section of society, namely, children. It provides that the charter shall address the nature and number of hours of children's television, in terms of the amount of science and technology programmes and so on. Related magazines and audio-CDS are covered by the charter. If the needs of children, in terms of science and technology programming and things as relatively unimportant as magazines and audio-CDS related to broadcasting services can be directly provided for and are to be given specific mention in the Bill, then why not require that a minimum percentage of our programming be directed towards the interests and tastes of persons over 65 years of age?

I wish to acknowledge a number of contributions in particular. Senator Keaveney rightly pointed out that we should not assume that older people have radically different tastes. The effects of the amendments tabled would be to require broadcasters to undertake the necessary market research to ensure the programming diet on offer takes sufficient account of the interests, needs and tastes of older people. Many people, as they get older, have more time and a greater need for television. It is for this reason I have selected this particular group as of interest. People's lifestyles change as they get older. This requires us to ensure their interests and tastes are addressed.

I was interested also in Senator Norris's contribution in regard to the need for market research. The Bill could require, perhaps by way of a different version of this amendment, that the broadcaster carry out the necessary market research to ensure that the programming on offer reflects the needs of older people. I was glad to hear Val Joyce being mentioned. It was widely stated when RTE made the changes in question, following which Val Joyce left the airwaves, that the commercial decision did not have regard to the needs of many listeners. It is wrong to give too many specific examples but this would suggest there is a possible ageism in our culture. There is a risk that those in charge of broadcasting might be overly focused on commercial concerns and might have less regard to the needs of a constituency that might not be the most lucrative in terms of audience but which nonetheless exists.

I am not forgetting that many older people are active and have tastes not discernibly different from other sectors of society. For example, I cannot telephone a particular uncle of mine at a certain time of the day because if there is a soap opera on I will be told in seconds to phone back later.