Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleague Senator Marc MacSharry in requesting from the Leader a debate on rural Ireland for the reasons that have been outlined by colleagues on all sides of the House over the last number of years, but in particular for those outlined over the last number of months. I support Senator Paul Coghlan in his comments about local radio stations. It is unacceptable that they are operating on a shoestring budget while providing an excellent service. I agree totally with Senator James Heffernan that they should be allocated a percentage of the licence fee that is collected by the State. It is also interesting to note that on the meagre budget they have, they must pay 2% to maintain a regulator for local broadcasting stations. That is not acceptable. At least that should be paid for directly by the State. I would welcome a debate on this issue. Their association made a presentation to the Fianna Fáil think-in in Sutton and it would be worthwhile to circulate it to colleagues in the House.

I ask the Leader if it is the intention of the Government to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy that has come about following the regrettable resignation of our colleague Senator Jimmy Harte. I issue a little advice to the Taoiseach through the Leader that, given the record of achievement, in inverted commas, of the European agriculture Commissioner, the former Deputy Phil Hogan, as a Minister, it would not be wise to take his advice on when to go to the country. He has made a total hames of everything he has touched to date. That is just a bit of friendly advice.