Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, to take No. 19 before No. 1. No. 19 relates to the introduction of the Broadcasting (Gender, Cultural and Other Diversities) Bill 2022. I extend my support to Senator McDowell on his earlier comments. I am introducing this Bill because I believe we need to see greater representation on our airwaves of women, those of colour and all types of sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We want our airwaves to be representative of this country, the people who make it up, and the wonderful diversity among our people. I know that many broadcasters have made enormous strides on gender representation in their panel discussions, in appointing women as presenters and in playing music composed, performed and conducted by women. They deserve credit, but we know that significant improvements are needed in many other stations.They deserve credit but we know that in many other stations very significant improvements need to be made. This Bill is vital in the conversation on the action we need to take to ensure greater diversity, equality and inclusion regarding both the spoken word and music content on our airwaves.

I am delighted we have in the Visitors Gallery today Linda Coogan Byrne of the Why Not Her? collective. It is owing to her work as a media and music professional and campaigner over a number of years that we are having this discussion today about equality on our airwaves. Over the past three years, the Why Not Her? collective has published reports holding up a mirror to broadcasters in Ireland. Ms Coogan Byrne's work has shown, through the analysis of media data, the disproportionate and very low number of women's voices on our airwaves. Therefore, we have to ask, "Why not her?" Between June 2021 and June 2022, just 18% of Irish artists were featured in Ireland's top 100 most played artists and bands on Irish radio. Of the songs of the 18%, only three were by female artists. People of colour based in Ireland did not even feature in the top 100 played artists, yet we know we have some brilliant emerging talent here in Ireland, including Soulé, Tolü Makay, Cherry Dragon, Gemma Bradley and Denise Chaila. Of course, we also have the likes of Imelda May, who is much more established, but we know when we look at the figures that these individuals get far less airplay than they deserve and is needed. Some 3.19 million people tune in to radio every day in this country. We know that, for performers, getting onto playlists can have a life-changing impact on their ability to make a livelihood out of their music. Therefore, it is vital we have this conversation. I acknowledge that a number of radio stations have stepped up to the mark over recent years. The likes of Spin FM, KCLR, MidWest Radio, Northern Sound, 98FM, Clare FM and a number of RTÉ stations have moved to ensure that at least 25% of their airplay is devoted to women artists.

Before introducing this Bill today, we invited artists from throughout this country, but a number of female artists were told not to turn up or support this campaign for better representation for women on the airwaves. This is what we are up against. I am referring to the intimidation and hostility towards making changes. I look forward to when we can debate this Bill more fully, but I welcome its being on the Order Paper as of today.