Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I express my solidarity - and I hope that of the House - because of the extraordinary occurrences in Greece, where the Greek public television broadcaster has been shut. It is not necessarily an exaggeration to think there is a significant movement that has placed public broadcasting under threat. We can also see that happening in Ireland. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on the future of public broadcasting and media in Ireland. We are currently at a delicate and vulnerable stage. We hope The Sunday Business Post will be rescued by restructuring and several daily newspapers are struggling with independence in the market. RTE is radically examining its functions, how it is funded and whether it should become more commercial and dependent on the market rather than the licence fee payer. I extend our solidarity to the public service broadcasters in Greece.