Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Tá lúcháir orm deis a fháil tagairt a dhéanamh don ábhar díospóireachta seo, a bhaineann le cúrsaí teileachumarsáide sa tír seo agus an táille atá gach teach ag díol fá choinne an tseirbhís phoiblí atá á chraoladh trí RTE faoi láthair.

I have just been listening to the debate from my office. I am glad it is taking place because this is an issue of concern to the independent radio stations in particular, of which I understand there are 34 throughout the country. We must ask whether the moneys collected through the licence fee by the Government and given over to one particular organisation are serving the public good, in economic terms or from the point of view of the taxpayer. The figures would suggest that this is not the case and that those resources could be used more effectively and efficiently by making them more widely available to other providers. The independent radio stations commissioned a report which was published recently. Taking a snapshot of time in July, 68% of listeners were listening to local radio stations. The listeners are tuning in because the content is relevant. Very often it is locally based. We saw a programme recently on which death notices were discussed. I think Ardal O'Hanlon edited and produced it. The topic is so relevant in rural areas. People tune in to get the death notices, the local news, sports, and current affairs. The figures are backing that up.

Is it right that a pot of money is collected through the licence fee, which is now being revised, and given over to one organisation which is also in the commercial field? RTE is using that taxpayer-funded resource to compete against other commercial organisations. That is not right. There has to be a levelling of the playing field.

While RTE provides an excellent public broadcasting service, I would certainly question many of the salaries it pays as being excessive, and in the extreme in some cases. That is a matter for the RTE board, however. The fee that is being charged could be used much more effectively if it were divided amongst other radio and broadcasting providers, some of whom are struggling to make ends meet at the moment. They are struggling to cover local council meetings and local events because they do not have the resources. Many have actually diversified into other activities in order to make themselves financially viable.

There is an obligation on the State to make the playing field a little more relevant. It should either withdraw the fee entirely - I do not think that is the right thing to do - or level the playing field. This is an issue which needs to be addressed. The area was identified in the programme for Government and I know the Minister is working towards a solution.

The whole of Irish-language broadcasting and the work which has been done by go háirithe TG4 agus RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta, atá faoi bhrú faoi láthair. Cé go bhfuil lucht éisteachta Raidió na Gaeltachta ag méadú de réir a chéile, tá an stáisiún faoi bhrú ó thaobh buiséid. Ós rud é go bhfuil brú orthu, tá sé tábhachtach nuair atá airgead á thabhairt d'aon eagras cumarsáide sa tír seo go mbeadh sé de dhualgas ar an eagras sin céatadán áirithe den airgead sin a chur ar fáil do chláracha Gaeilge agus do Raidió na Gaeltachta agus na stáisiúin eile anseo i mBaile Átha Cliath atá ag craoladh trí mheán na Gaeilge.

It is about providing fairness and developing the most effective use of the resources that are available.