Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I thank Senator Harris for sharing time and I welcome the Minister. It is often stated that one should never perform on stage following children and animals. One should certainly never attempt to follow Senator Harris who speaks so well and eloquently and with such passion. The Senator's message in respect of fairness and Northern Ireland should be broadcast.

This is a very interesting debate. Senator Walsh, for example, asked whether there is really a need for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. I do not know whether we need to establish so many quangos in order that they might resolve our problems. I am of the view that we could do without such quangos, a matter upon which Senator Harris also touched.

As the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, recently commented, the TV licence fee as we know it will most likely not exist in 2020. This is because the availability of television programmes on devices such as mobile phones and laptops will make the old way of charging a fee in respect of having a television set in one's home neither practical nor possible. Some predict that within eight to ten years, every television in Ireland will be connected to the Internet. In light of these facts, alternatives to the current television licence must be considered. I am not sure that this matter has been given careful consideration. It is clear that challenges are going to arise. We do not know how media will develop in the next ten to 20 years. The changes that took place in the past ten to 15 years have been dramatic.

I came across an interesting anecdote relating to the occasion on which John Logie Baird arrived at the offices of the Daily Express newspaper shortly after developing his new invention - television - in 1924. Mr. Logie Baird was viewed with suspicion and even alarm. The editor at the time instructed his deputy to deal with the incident by saying:

For God's sake, Jackson, go down to the reception room and get rid of a lunatic who is down there. He says he's got a machine for seeing by wireless. Watch him carefully, he may have a razor hidden.

I accept that this incident occurred a long time ago but it shows how dramatically things have changed. I am of the view that they will change again in the coming years.

I am glad the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has reduced the levy it imposes on the radio sector which employs approximately 1,500 people. Radio has a large following and has a major impact on local communities. The radio sector has also changed dramatically in recent years.

The Corporate Governance Association of Ireland believes that this country needs a commission for public sector board appointments such as that which operates in the UK. As already indicated, I am not enthusiastic about the establishment of further quangos but such a commission would obviously include involvement from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. This would be a welcome development for all such bodies because it would provide them with the opportunity to assist in improving transparency and openness and encouraging fairness.

Is there an argument to be made in respect of removing the ban relating to paid political advertising on radio? At present, such a ban is in place. This ban also relates to paid advertising by trade unions and interest groups. A political party can advertise on a radio station's website but not on the station itself. However, research carried out by Dr. Kevin Rafter, a political scientist, on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland indicates that more than half the electorate were either completely or strongly opposed to allowing political advertising. Dr. Rafter said the biggest fear was that an American-style situation, where the party with the most money would be able to commandeer the most amount of airtime, would develop. Such a development would not be acceptable. If there was a free for all, then the eventuality to which Dr. Rafter refers might come to pass. If such paid political advertising were to be allowed, we could establish a framework to limit its extent, etc. The Minister has stated it would be too difficult to police this type of advertising on radio. Given that media have developed to such a degree, for example, people can access websites through their mobile phone or televisions sets, surely it should be possible to address and debate this question rather than having a situation where existing legislation does not take account of the position that obtains.

In recent days the Minister indicated that he intends to make all of Ireland's Six Nations matches and Heineken European Cup rugby matches involving Irish provinces free to air. I am not sure how this will work. The Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, has stated that this move could cost it €10 million and would mean that the provinces would not be able to continue to exist in their current form and that they would lose many of the players currently on their books. Rugby has changed dramatically in recent years as a result of television coverage. The Cathaoirleach is a GAA man but I am sure he cannot help sneaking a look at the rugby matches shown on television. There are many of us who grew up watching only GAA and who only came across rugby later in life. Irish rugby has developed to such an extent that two teams from this country faced off against two teams from France in the semi-finals of this year's Heineken European Cup. No team from the island of Britain got beyond the quarter-finals. If we make the matches to which I refer free to air and if this costs the IRFU €10 million, rugby will be damaged as a result.

I recently read with interest about a report on cultural diversity in Irish broadcasting. The report in question was compiled by NUI Maynooth and was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. RTE informed the researchers who compiled the report that it was still evolving a policy of integrating diversity into programmes generally. It was reported in the Irish Independent that station executives at TV3, when referring to fashion reporting on the station, informed the researchers that "There is generally a black girl in there somewhere" and "Most importantly everyday we have Oprah, black, and Ellen, lesbian, you know ... they tick a box". The executives in question also referred to the fact that there is a black presenter on a programme called "Xposé" and that there is "a black girl in the factory" in "Emmerdale". I am not familiar with these programmes but it is clear that those involved are encouraging some form of diversity. In light of the difference in the way in which RTE and TV3 are funded, is such a policy of diversity appropriate? What does the Minister make of TV3's position on diversity on television and is he in favour of establishing some form of quota?

This has been an extremely interesting debate. Senator Walsh made a very interesting point when he stated that in the past if a station wanted to increase the number of programmes it made, it was automatically obliged to increase its income. As the Senator indicated, those in the private sector were obliged to reduce their costs. I was with some television people yesterday and I discovered that the crew tasked with making the programme consisted of just a journalist and a cameraman. In the past, even to record a short programme, there would have been six people involved. This shows we are moving with the times and that everyone is benefiting.