Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

As I did on Second and Committee Stages, I wish to put on record my strong welcome for the Irish film channel. I am sure that colleagues also feel this way. It is an excellent development and the fact that the Irish Film Board will be intimately involved is important.

I welcome the Minister's acceptance of Deputy Coveney's amendment in the Dáil to allow advertising to fund the new channel. Given the times we are in, the amendment and its acceptance made commonsense. The normal standards of timing, ethics and content will apply to those advertisements, which is welcome. I also welcome the Oireachtas channel, which will be worthwhile and important. How will it be funded, given the funding crisis in RTE, which one understands will run the channel? In terms of funding, we must congratulate RTE's unions and staff on their initiative in recent weeks in taking wage reductions, their restraint and their commitment to the public good. They must be saluted, as they have been extraordinary and have shown remarkable patriotism, courage and generosity.

What is the timeframe for getting these channels, particularly the Oireachtas channel, up and running? That channel will be important in establishing the connect between people and the Legislature. As I stated on Second and Committee Stages, local government should be included in broadcasting at appropriate times, as highlighting local government assemblies would be important. The broadcasts should also include the European Parliament. It could bring the whole democratic apparatus into people's homes, thereby establishing transparency. Would it not be great if the serious manner in which we are taking the Bill could be made visible to people through an Oireachtas channel?