Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

That is a different matter.

The point is we must take what we have in terms of radio and television, distil it down and forget about being politically correct all the time and about being driven by money. If we are to be driven by money constantly, the public service broadcasting remit will be diluted and washed away.

As a GAA man, I know the GAA will never be lost to pay per view. I understand from where the Minister is coming on the issue of rugby. I think he has got it wrong, but that is a different matter. Mr. Philip Browne of the IRFU would have a different story as well. On that section, my worry is that the Minister will deprive the IRFU of money which will result in a number of its players having to go abroad, but that is a different issue for a different debate.

It is important we look at the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Maybe the Minister should put persons from the street on it. When I read the reviews of television or radio programmes, I scratch my head and wonder have I watched or listened to the same programme.

I am a fan of talk radio. I rarely put on 2FM. If I am in the car, I flick to see what is on local radio and I am disturbed that some local radio stations play wall to wall music. I love the fact Cork has people like P.J. Coogan who will go out and interview people and Patricia Messenger of 103 FM and Neil Prendeville in the city, even though he is controversial. They do a fabulous job. Victor Barry of "Cork Talks Back" on Red FM is irreverent and controversial but I would love to see more programmes such as those broadcast on RTE 1. The State broadcaster has an obligation to provide programming that is not driven by money nor by mass marketing but rather is compelling radio. I hope we never lose that. Senator Ó Murchú said that radio has evolved and I agree but the choice and the tastes of people really have not evolved. If we become Americanised with wall to wall music and wall to wall punditry, then we will be in big trouble. I hope we never go down that road.