Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the introduction of the Bill by Senator Martin. I also want to pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, for the support she has given to the independent broadcasting sector. As a member of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, I have worked closely with a number of my other colleagues in meeting and engaging with the independent sector to make sure financial support was given to them to be able to continue to provide the trusted broadcasting that they do. I welcome the €6 million in funding and it is accepted by all that it is very positive. We must make sure we can maintain, as I said, the tried and trusted local radio stations we have throughout the country, be it Shannonside Northern Sound or Kfm, which provide such a fantastic service.

I brought a copy of the joint committee's report and audit today to highlight this point. I thank Senator Ardagh for her strong comments and for her work on the committee. I am delighted to see that one of the main recommendations of the report was passed yesterday, which was to ratify the optional protocol on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. There are further recommendations in the report. I look forward to the support of Government this evening in making sure that, ultimately, we implement the entire report. That is the priority of the committee. We saw the introduction of the autism innovation strategy in August by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. However, we need to enact legislation to give legislative effect to that strategy for whole-of-life supports for young adults and children on the autism spectrum.

I will also highlight something in my local area. Mr. Michael Darragh MacAuley has recently taken over the role as an ambassador for Sanctuary Runners. He is taking part in a park run this Saturday in Longford. I wish to highlight the success that event, which was started by Mr. Kevin Kane, has been in my county and in Longford town with hundreds of participants every Saturday. It has had a massive impact on the health of the people of Longford.