Minister praises valuable role played by community radio

THE new studios of Community Radio Castlebar have been officially opened at Thomas Street in the town.

It is the station's fourth home in its 23-year existence.

The ceremony was performed by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

He praised everybody involved in the success of the station over the past two decades, stating community broadcasting has a huge role to play in Irish life.

As minister, he is committed to ensuring the viability and sustainability of such stations run with immense loyalty and dedication by volunteers.

“I know CRCfm is very professional in all that it does, as epitomised by the station winning two national awards at the weekend for its sports department and classical radio programming,” he added.

Pat Stanton, chairman of the CRCfm board of directors, paid tribute to everybody involved in the transition from the station's former base at the Mosaic Centre, Stephen Garvey Way, to Thomas Street over the past number of months.

He said community radio stations were dependent on funding from different sources to ensure their survival but this system created a sense of instability and uncertainty.

Ms. Staunton called on the government to examine the prospect of providing core funding to maintain community radio stations and ensure continuity.

He wished the newly-appointed station manager, Angela Faull, every success in her role.

Councillor Blackie Gavin, cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council, and Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, cathaoirleach, Castlebar Municipal District, were fullsome in congratulating the station and the commitment given by so many people to keep broadcasting going 24/7.

In her address, Ms. Faull called for €1 million of the national licencing fee to be allocated to the community radio sector, which is providing such a valuable service to towns and villages as well as the diaspora.