Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I will keep within the minute. I strongly support the call made by Senator Landy for a debate on the funding of broadcasting in Ireland. We all want to see a fairly funded broadcasting sector that serves the entire country and every community. I agree that local radio stations provide a vital service in the areas of news, current affairs and sport but they are at a major disadvantage. The 1960 Broadcasting Act gave the entire television licence fee to RTE. We all want to see a strong, vibrant and innovative national broadcaster but it is unfair that the entire fee should go to the national broadcaster. There must be a much fairer and more level playing field. My local radio station in Galway pays approximately €10,000 a week in fees and levies simply to operate before taking wages or running costs into consideration. We all want to ensure that the vibrancy local radio stations provide continues. I ask the Leader to request the Minister to come to the House in the autumn in order that we can thrash out the funding of broadcasting in Ireland to ensure we have a much more level playing field into the future.