Lyric FM presence in Limerick
Deputy O'Dea urged the Government to ask RTÉ to delay closing Lyric FM in Limerick and publish any cost-benefit analysis. The Tánaiste cautioned against overcommenting on a media report, then said RTÉ would keep a presence in Limerick though likely downsized.
I ask the Tánaiste to request his colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, to approach the RTÉ authority and ask it to delay its decision to close Lyric FM in Limerick. It almost inconceivable that the mid-west of this country, with a population of between 500,000 and 600,000, would be without a permanent presence from RTÉ. Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to request that RTÉ at least do a cost-benefit analysis, or let us have sight of any cost benefit analysis it has done? I cannot understand how small mythical savings involving job losses from the immediate closure of Lyric FM in Limerick will secure the future of RTÉ.
Comment on this
We need to be careful about the detailed commentary we make because we are essentially reading a media report on an RTÉ decision.
Comment on this
Dee Forbes spoke on "Morning Ireland" this morning.
Comment on this
She did and she confirmed that RTÉ would not be closing Lyric FM and that RTÉ would maintain a presence in Limerick although I accept it would be a downsized presence. It is up to RTÉ to justify the plan which they signed off at board level and was only sent to the Minister this morning. I suspect there will be plenty of opportunities to debate that plan in the weeks ahead.