David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I had an agreement with Senator Humphreys to raise an issue but, unfortunately, he does not appear to be here. He suggested that we raise a situation with which the Cathaoirleach is familiar, namely, a visit from RTÉ. One morning last week, I got a message suggesting a meeting during the day. I met Ms Deirdre McCarthy, the managing director of radio, and Mr. Richard Dowling, who is the political assignments editor. Basically, they were talking about moving the entirety of political commentary online. This would be an absolute disaster. I told them I would oppose it strongly. They said there is a small audience. I said that is entirely their fault. If they do a rotten programme rather than a good one and do not attract listeners, then that is their problem. They should set about doing something about it and making it more interesting. Irish people are politically literate, interested in politics and there is no reason they should not take an interest in the broadcast of these important matters affecting every member of society.

The broadcast time is shifted all over the place. Sometimes it could be 11 p.m. and the next day it could be 2 a.m. How on Earth can an audience be held if the time keeps shifting? Ms McCarthy and Mr. Dowling said they want to migrate online. I said why migrate? Why not expand? Of course they should go after the new market online. I do not use it. However, many young people do. Many middle-aged and even older people do as well. We should incorporate that and not cancel out political commentary. I gather the idea is to get rid of "Oireachtas Report", the "Late Debate" and so on. This would be absolutely disastrous. I also pointed out there was great negligence in the coverage of Seanad Éireann. I gave the example of when Senator Alice-Mary Higgins put down a motion on the comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, between Canada and the EU. We had a good discussion. I spoke with Fianna Fáil, it abstained and we defeated the Government. We defeated the Government on an important policy issue.

There was no mention whatever that night of Seanad Éireann and nothing on the Canadian trade agreement. However, a couple of days later some female Member of the Dáil mentioned it, in passing, on the Order of Business and she was interviewed. It was quite extraordinary. I serve notice to colleagues that this is what RTÉ intends doing.