Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have nothing against any radio stations. They all do their different work. Will the Minister address the first part? I am looking to how we can progress this. I accept the Minister's point on the committee and will not press that element. As I intend to return to this on Report Stage, I would appreciate it were the Minister to clarify her view on the question of a time limitation. There are periods, seasonal and others, in which it may be appropriate that there be a derogation but I believe it should be a time-limited derogation. My concern is licences and derogations could be issued where the full identity of that sound broadcaster for a long period is in no way contributing to the public good.

Even the fact it is limited to the listeners of that service is an issue. The duty is not solely to the consumers because there is a duty to the wider public good. News and current affairs cannot and should not be broadcast based only on the fact that people are crying out for them. There is a reason for the requirement that they be broadcast. It is not solely demand-led but also public good-led that there be news and current affairs components in broadcasts. I accept the Minister's points on the independence of the commission and its function but ask her to address the question of a time limitation and the issue relating to the benefit to listeners of the service and the wider public good.