Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to say a few words on this matter. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Having listened to the debate it seems it is difficult to get the balance right. I do not pretend to know the answers concerning broadcasting standards. There are certain types of programmes on the air of which I do not approve, but which I could not possibly ban. For instance, I find it difficult to see rape portrayed on television. Such portrayals contain a level of violence which I find hard to tolerate and I would not watch such programming. However, that is not a standard which could be applied or used to prevent broadcasting such as programming.

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, used the word "appropriateness" in his speech, and this raises an important issue. Consider that there was a time when the Catholic church wanted jazz banned from the airwaves on the basis that it was the devil's music. That was only some decades ago. One must work through a person's point of view to find out how he or she forms a decision. A significant benchmark for jokes is that they should be humorous. It is appalling that people would make jokes about a person's disability as it goes against the spirit of legislation, but perhaps I am just old-fashioned. It is like kicking a man when he is on the ground.