Oireachtas TV and RTÉ coverage
Senator Leyden praised Oireachtas TV but criticised RTÉ for dropping Oireachtas Report on several nights, arguing the public is entitled to accessible coverage of parliamentary business. Senators intervened in support, and he said he would raise the matter with RTÉ and suggest alternatives if RTÉ will not continue the programme.
I commend the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on initiating and providing the Oireachtas TV channel, which broadcasts live and is a good service that provides information for the public throughout the country.
Comment on this
The channel is only available if people have the proper platform to receive it. I regret very much that RTÉ has decided not to show "Oireachtas Report" on three nights of the week, that is, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Comment on this
We are paying €160 per year for the licence fee and the public is entitled to have a summary of events in the Oireachtas during the day. Leaders' Questions are taken at 12 noon but a person who is working will not be able to watch them at that time and they are being deprived of the opportunity to see the debate until a night when the Oireachtas does not sit. RTÉ should restore a summary like "Oireachtas Report", even if it is at 11.30 p.m. If RTÉ is not prepared to carry out its public service duties, we should tell the director general that we will invite Virgin Media 1, 2 or 3 to provide the service. Those channels provide a good service and they could also take some of the licence fee from RTÉ. The Oireachtas approves the licence fee that goes to RTÉ and we need a more proactive approach to this. People have told me they miss Senator Norris and they miss being able to watch a summary of events in the Oireachtas when they are at home at night.
Comment on this
Someone in Roscommon may miss it as well.
Comment on this
As a member of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I will raise this with the director general and ask how she would feel if €10 were taken off the €160 fee and handed over to Virgin Media 1, 2 or 3.