I note Senator Kevin Humphreys' comments on the announcement by RTE that it will outsource children's programming. This is a retrograde step. On Tuesday, 22 November, Dee Forbes, the new director general of RTE, appointed on 1 April 2016, was on a charm offensive at a meeting of the communications committee. She never indicated to the committee her proposals to outsource children's programmes. This is a major blow because children's programmes are very important and highly regarded. Their quality has been renowned. Some of us will remember "Wanderly Wagon", "Bosco", "The Den", "Zig and Zag"-----

"Zig and Zag"?

Yes. "Bosco" created jobs in Roscommon, where it was made. One influences a nation through its children.

If that influence is taken away and outsourced to Britain or the United States of America to save money, then it is a poor reflection. Dee Forbes was appointed on April Fool's Day but she made a fool of the committee on Tuesday because she never raised this issue at it. I raised an issue regarding "Oireachtas Report" and explained to the director general that both Houses of the Oireachtas are equal. That, however, has not been the case. Most of the time, the Seanad has been ignored by "Oireachtas Report". There was no question of transferring "Oireachtas Report" from RTE 1 to any other station. In fact, she praised the work of "Oireachtas Report", indicating to me and others that she would be expanding and developing the programme and would be in discussion with Members about this.

The Minister, Deputy Naughten, should intervene in the case of young people's programming and call the director general to the Department. I will be suggesting to the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment that she should return to the committee to explain her decision in this regard. RTE is selling part of the Montrose site from which it will raise €50 million. Current affairs programming is very important.

The point is taken.

If it came to a choice of reducing current affairs programming or reducing the salaries of highly overpaid broadcasters-----

The Senator has gone over time.

Some of them are paid five to six times more than any Senator.

Ten times.

Ten times.

Maybe they are worth more. If I had the choice of reducing some broadcasters' salaries to continue producing children's programmes, I would do so. It is a serious issue.

Yes, but the Senator is way over time.

This is valuable time.

The Senator is not going to delay us further on the Order of Business. The Senator's time is up. Will he please resume his seat?

I am confident now the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be on "Oireachtas Report" tonight.

Senator Terry Leyden is out of order. I call Senator Catherine Noone.