Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

This is another amendment proposed by Senator Doherty. This is one in which we find a great deal of merit. The amendment proposes that a member of the board of RTE or TG4 be disqualified from board membership if he or she is a shareholder or director or is otherwise commercially involved with another broadcasting company. We agree with the thrust of the Senator's amendment, but I believe the position is already dealt with in the existing text of the Bill. In particular, section 85(5) provides that a person who is employed by or has an interest in a commercial or community broadcaster or multiplex operator is generally automatically disqualified from becoming a member of the board of RTE or TG4, save in respect of employment that relates to educational matters or the performance of creative work. I thank the Senator for his amendment and as a result of it we will revisit the text of sections 12 and 86 on Report Stage.