Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Luaigh mé an rud seo go minic cheana nuair a bhí an ábhar seo á phlé sa Seanad. Tá mé an sásta go bhfuil seo curtha isteach sa Bhille seo mar tá daingniú ann go bhfuil jab ar leith le déanamh ag TG4. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go mbeidh tuiscint ag daoine go bhfuil i bhfad níos mó ag baint le TG4 seachas broadcasting alone agus go bhfuil morán comharsanachtaí timpeall na tíre ag braith ar TG4 chun fostaíochta a chruthú agus rudaí mar sin.

Certainly, the creative energy of the Gaeltacht and the development of Gaeltacht jobs and businesses is very much dependent on TG4. It was never set up to make money in the first place, but when people criticise the support level for it, the Minster's Department should be another voice indicating that this is part of our culture and supporting Gaeltachtaí na tíre seo agus chomh tábhachtach agus atá sé go mbeadh fostaíocht agus cruthaíocht iontu agus go mbeadh dul chun cinn ó thaobh drámaíochta agus tionscalaíochta de and even independent broadcasting. That should all be there.

This is a major issue and it is about more than supporting broadcasting, as stated in the Bill. It is important to recognise that the reason this was raised and so willingly accepted by the Minister when it was before the Seanad was that it concerned support for Gaeilge. I was very pleased with that and I do not question the Minister's motives. I congratulate him on being so open. It is very important to put on the record the fact that when Deputies and Senators in both Houses and from all parties supported this measure, we were discussing an Irish cultural gem which needs protection, is part of us and is important. It is far more important than simply providing a number of hours of broadcasting in the course of an evening.