Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank the Minister and welcome the openness with which he has dealt with this, which I appreciate. I take the Minister's point and I had read section 66(2)(d) which specifies regard for "the quantity, quality, range and type of programmes in the Irish language". The only difficulty is that as that is written, one could receive a full licence without producing anything. If none of the parties making a presentation proposed any Irish language measures, the contract awards committee could not reject the applicants on the grounds that they have no proposals that satisfy section 66(2)(d). It is not a failing matter. It is the difference between an essential and a desirable qualification.

To simplify it to one line, it is like appointing somebody to a job as opposed to offering that person a contract. When appointing people to a job, certain boxes must be ticked, some of which are desirable and some of which are essential. The purpose of my amendment was to make this an essential requirement. The Minister has answered me that it is desirable. I want it to be worded in such a way that applicants must do some Irish language programming.

I am happy with the point the Minister and his officials make, that they are not quantified. I am not trying to push this over any line. However, if he could reframe one part of it so that an essential part of an organisation's pitch or presentation and a requirement of its licence would be that there would be some Irish language programming, I would be happy with that. I do not need to have my amendment accepted, but I need this to be an essential requirement as opposed to a desirable yardstick. I am happy for the Minister to take that back and discuss it. I ask the officials to take that on board. Nílim chun thuile a rá mar gheall ar sin. I appreciate the openness with which the Minister has met my points.