Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will join colleagues in speaking to amendment No. 100, in which we are calling for the deletion of that section on the prohibition of political advertisement. I thank the Minister and all her officials for their engagements on the Bill up to today because it is one of the most important pieces of legislation. That should be said at the outset in terms of the Minister bringing forward this legislation in the first place.

Senator Malcolm Byrne is right; during the course of the committee hearings we have held over the past year, many of the traditional media bodies came before us, for example, terrestrial television, independent local radio and print media. Different rules govern these different media entities in our country, however. All are under pressure. We are, of course, awaiting the publication of the report of the Future of Media Commission. The commercial viability of our media, which will ensure its independence, is also under threat, in particular - and I do not think this can be overstated enough - in RTÉ and Virgin Media Ireland. We have seen the migration of commercial revenue to other platforms. It is not a fair and level playing field if publications such as my own local newspapers can take advertising from me but that cannot happen on my local radio station. Independent local radio stations met with us today us and pointed that out to make sure there would be a regulated market.

I do not think anyone here is advocating for the introduction of an American-style attack advertisement platform where, for example, Deputy Madigan might go on RTÉ and say: "Catherine Martin hates puppies - Vote Josepha Madigan. This ad has been paid for by Neale Richmond." I do not think we are saying that but I do think we are advocating for the opportunity for political parties to actually get their messages across. If we ourselves value democracy, we should be able to actually avail of the biggest platforms available to us. The removal of that section is, therefore, very well-merited.