Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 17:

In page 32, line 29, after "disabilities" to insert "requiring the use of sign language and subtitles".

The Minister was present for most of Second Stage and possibly heard my comments on the issue of subtitling in particular. Perhaps I sound like a long playing record on the issue of subtitling, but in dealing with this broadcasting Bill we must have high standards and set the bar as high as possible in this regard. The subtitling of programmes heralded a major step forward for people hard of hearing across the country and indeed opened up the world of television for many. It has to be recognised by the Minister and his officials, however, that the quantity and quality of subtitling, particularly on live programming such as news and current affairs broadcasting is not nearly as efficient as it should be. I said on Second Stage that if one wants to realise how poor the service is, one can just turn down the volume on the 6 o'clock or 9 o'clock news bulletins, switch on the subtitles and try to follow the programme. It will be very difficult to do so in the sense that the presenter will be five or ten seconds, in some cases, ahead of the subtitling. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people across the country must endure that level of service, and it is not good enough. When we have an opportunity to legislate in respect of broadcasting services for the disabled, we should apply maximum pressure to ensure the best possible subtitling standards.

From observing how the service works on other channels, whether the BBC, ITV or the Sky channels, I note that the situation on those is not much better to any extent. Again, I believe it is a question of the amount of resources that broadcasting companies are willing to invest in this regard. At a time when technology has made enormous advances and we are about to send men and women to Mars, it should not be impossible to have a top-class subtitling service for all those who need it. I appreciate where the Minister is coming from and his earlier comments on the matter. However, since we have the opportunity to make clear our demand that both the quantity and quality of subtitling should be much better than it is at present, I hope he will respond in a reasonable manner to the amendment. It is a reasonable request, not for any minority group, but rather for a growing sector of society — mainly, though not entirely elderly people — to which we have a responsibility to provide these services.