Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I asked a few questions on policy formation in the area of broadcasting with which the Minister might deal. As the Chairman has noted, the figure pertaining to the licence fee sticks out. In addition, the Minister might explain the position regarding the capital grant for TG4. Many people have noted that while almost €200 million goes into RTE from the public purse each year, it also has other revenue. One can then consider stand-alone broadcasters, which can and are making it simply on the basis of their revenue. One would question where all the money is going and the first point people highlight is the big money being paid to RTE's leading broadcasters. Is there a factor pertaining to details such as the cost of programming that is available to the Minister? I believe the amount of resources, number of researchers and so on it has on its programmes compared with the independent broadcasters are way out of line. In addition, I note the figures on the home-made or indigenous programmes on RTE. While some such programmes have been excellent over the years, there appears to be a tendency to move away from them. I hope the Minister, in so far as he can, encourages RTE to go into the home market and make sure the great talent available is harvested for the national broadcaster on its own. I will leave it at that. My first question went over and back from communications and broadcasting and in addition, I raised the capital grants for TG4 and the home-produced programmes on RTE.