Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I have listened with interest to the Minister. I concede amendment No. 41 will oblige the authority to consider the quality of services, such as subtitling, provided by broadcasters and report on them. However, where is our imprint in the sense of imposing on the authority an obligation to mark and ensure progress? It is okay for the authority to consider the quality of services and inform the Oireachtas of them. However, is the Minister satisfied there is enough of an obligation on the authority to ensure services will be maximised and improved?

Senator John Paul Phelan referred to several of the independent television channels. TV3 does not have any subtitling for its productions except for imported programmes such as "Coronation Street". Amendment No. 17 seeks to strengthen the obligation of broadcasters to maximise subtitling from a quality and quantity perspective. I appreciate the Minister's amendment No. 41 but it only obliges the authority to report on progress in this respect. I want a stronger demand to ensure progress. I do not believe sufficient steps have been taken in this regard.