JOE FULHAM,
Madam, - With 2003 being designated as year of equality for people with disabilities, the setting up of an independent broadcasting regulatory body could not have been more timely. I'm referring to RTÉ's text service for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The national broadcaster's self-regulatory body obviously did not have this on their agenda as the service is appalling. Most of the scheduled programmes throughout the day and evening do not have any text, so the deaf and hard of hearing cannot watch programmes on RTÉ.
Why should they have to fork out an extra €43 when they are unable to avail of the service? Perhaps the new broadcasting regulatory body should insist RTÉ get its house in order or else ensure that the licence fee charge for the deaf and hard of hearing is a percentage of the €150 that corresponds to the percentage of programmes that have text. - Yours, etc.,
JOE FULHAM, Crestwood Avenue, Ashbourne, Co Meath.