Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I believe Senator Mullen has identified a lacuna in the Bill though the Minister of State may say otherwise. His idea in respect of independent market research could add immeasurably to the scheduling and selection of programmes. The Bill makes no provision in this regard. There is a mention of an audience council specifically with regard to children which may do so. It is discretionary and not mandatory. Will the Minister of State examine this? Scheduling and providing audiences with representative programmes should be based on a scientific survey of the audience and of the marketplace being served. In the absence of this, it is done on the subjective views of the administrators.