Launch of the new Province 5TV Navan

This is a very proud moment for me as the local Minister and as the Minister responsible for communications.

I believe that it is very fitting to have the original switch, used to turn on Navan’s Hydro-Electric Power Station in 23rd October 1923, for this opening ceremony.

Back then, this community was getting over the War of Independence and our economy relied mainly on farming.

In 1926, Ireland got its first radio station, 2RN, which is now RTE.

Our young people travelled to Dublin, England and America, for work.

Their only way of communicating was through letters. Their access to information on the county was through the odd copy of the Meath Chronicle.

As Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil’s Sean Lemass, played a vital role in creating jobs in this country and investing in industrial development.

In the 60s, those fortunate to have a job and a few bob had access to the telephone at the post office, or if you were real posh, in your own home.

Thankfully, things have now changed and our quality of life has improved and technology allows us to communicate instantly from all over the world.

But, having served this community for over 20 years, one thing has not changed and that is our ability, as Fianna Fail public representatives, to communicate with our constituents at a personal and local level. We never, ever forget that ‘All politics is local’.

Our challenge, as public representatives, is to be flexible and to adapt in order to keep in touch with the thousands of new families making their homes in Meath and particularly in Navan.

I want to ensure that everybody who lives in Meath has the same access to the county’s public representatives as those of you who have lived and worked here all your lives.

The needs of our communities have changed since this switch was first used 60 years ago. Commuting, childcare, healthcare and education are our priorities.

This evening, I, as a local Fianna Fail Minister, am proud that we have achieved so much for the county over the past 10 years.

There is a major job creation investment programme in Meath attracting high quality, sustainable jobs in the county.

We are at an advanced stage in the plans for the development of the M3 road, which will eliminate many of the traffic problems.

And I am totally committed to getting a fast efficient rail link between Navan and Dublin up and running as soon as possible.

This Government has also consistently invested in health, education over the past decade.

In yesterday’s budget the Minister for Health & Children announced €395m to prioritise new health services for older people, people with disabilities and mental health. This year the Minister for Education announced a record investment of nearly €8.4 billion Euro to support improvements right across the sector.

These developments clearly highlight how far we, in Meath, have come over the years.

This evening we celebrate the launch this new community television station.

And I believe Province 5TV will play a very important role in airing the views of Navan’s community and keeping them informed of the news and developments in this vibrant town.

This new station has a practical, relevant and interesting schedule of programmes. They include the current affairs magazine programme Outside the Box and Golden Years will take a look back at Navan over the past 80 years.

I am delighted that Province 5TV is also investing in Irish language programmes including Tír Tairngire.

Bunaíodh Gaeltacht Ráth Cairn sa bhliain 1935 nuair a chuir seacht gclann is fiche as Conamara, go háirithe as cheantar na n-oileán agus ón gCeathrú Rua fúthu ar thalamh a bhí faighte ag Coimisiún na Talún i gContae na Mí.

It is a credit to the programmers that you have included a practical series of weekly programmes to help local people with reading and writing difficulties.

While Province 5TV is a local community station, local people who have opted to travel and work abroad, now have access to the programmes and can keep in touch with the community through the internet.

According to the BCI: ‘A Community Television channel is characterised by its ownership and programming, and by its interaction with the community it is licensed to serve’.

And I am delighted to see that Province 5TV, along with the community, is supporting an independent assessment of the performance of the station.

There is a series of meetings and workshops in progress over the coming weeks, under the direction of Dr. Maria Gibbons. I understand that all the local community organisations including the Polish and Travelling communities are participating.

I have no doubt that the results of this assessment, due out early next year, will show that the Province 5TV programme schedule not only meets, but exceeds the aspirations of the BCI and the community.

I would like to thank the many local groups and companies who are supporting this initiative through advertisements and sponsorships. This is, in my view, a wonderful example of corporate social responsibility.

I also thank the BCI for its support and financial contributions to make this important communications tool for Navan a reality.

I wish the management, staff, producers, presenters and contributors every success with the station and I look forward to switching on to watch some of the programmes, no matter where I am in the world.

Talking of switches, I will now officially launch Province 5TV using the original switch from 1923.

Thank you.

ENDS