12 Nov 2013, 13:42
Representatives from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications tomorrow for an exchange of views on how public service broadcasting will be funded into the future.
12 November 2013
The meeting comes on foot of the BAI’s recently published five year review of public funding for public service broadcasters.
Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The Committee looks forward to engaging with the BAI representatives, as part of its on-going consideration of publicly-funded broadcasting. A BAI report, issued to Minister Pat Rabbitte in July, recommended a new approach to funding RTÉ which would separate licence fee and commercial income streams. The Committee will be interested in exploring other features of the report, which acknowledge the critical role of Irish-made programming and the possibilities offered by digitalisation within the broadcasting sector.
“The review focusses primarily on public funding for Ireland’s two public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4. The BAI have highlighted the need to look beyond RTÉ and TG4 to consider the wider broadcasting environment. Earlier this year, the independent broadcasting representatives made the case for their sector receiving a greater share of public funding, which would acknowledge their contribution to local and community life in Ireland. The Committee will be keen to assess how best to use public funds to foster a vibrant and dynamic Irish broadcasting sector.”
Commencing the meeting, the Committee will discuss a Dáil and Seanad Motion on the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013 with Minister for State at the Department of Transport Michael Ring TD.
The meeting takes place at 9:30 am tomorrow Wednesday 13 November in Committee Room 4, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
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Committee on Transport and Communications
Deputies: Paudie Coffey (Vice-Chair), Michael Colreavy, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Tom Fleming, Brendan Griffin, Noel Harrington, Seán Kenny, Éamonn Maloney, Helen McEntee, Mattie McGrath, Michael Moynihan, Patrick O’Donovan, John O’Mahony (Chair) and Ann Phelan
Senators: Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan, Éamonn Coghlan, Paschal Mooney, Ned O’Sullivan and John Whelan