RTÉ and TG4 funding
Deputy Eamon Ryan raised alarm over the Broadcasting Commission’s call for substantial extra funding for RTÉ and TG4 to protect sustainability. The Taoiseach said the Government was examining the issue and needed to consider public funding in the round.
On Monday the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland made a statement on its latest five-year review of RTÉ and TG4 which raised real alarm. It stated the organisations had made all of the cuts possible in the past five years and that there was strong justification for increased levels of funding. It called for immediate additional funding of €30 million for RTÉ and €6 million for TG4. It stated the funding available was not sufficient to ensure the broadcasters' sustainability. We need sustainable broadcasters and media to maintain our democracy and the welfare of the country in a range of ways. What legislative or other measures does the Government intend to take to provide such funding? Will the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's report go unanswered?
Comment on this
The Government is examining the matter. I had the opportunity to meet the chairperson and director general of RTÉ only in the last couple of days. Ultimately, any money provided is public and taxpayers' money and we have to make sure it is used to best effect. There is a lot of public service broadcasting beyond RTÉ. There is also TG4 and many other news and media organisations that engage in public service broadcasting. The issue needs to be looked at in the round.