Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for attending. Like other members, I was a bit perplexed by the outline they supplied of their role and remit. I understand that it is constrained by legislation to some extent. In the previous Dáil, even before the BAI was set up, our communications committee spent a long time arguing and debating issues about top earners and the many thousands of excellent staff at RTE who work hard on a daily basis. We were told that the payments made to top people were down to the advertising they brought in, but that situation has changed. Is there a justification for the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI's suggestion that the funding model as proposed is effectively a Montrose tax aimed at propping up RTE? The BAI must answer questions like this. It is the regulator, or the watchdog for want of a better word.

To my mind, it was quite muddled in the BAI's outline, but what did our guests mean by the term "public service objectives"? What types of programme constitute public service content?

I will not go on because a lot has been asked already, but I have many concerns. One that I have had for a long time relates to a main evening radio programme. I love RTE Radio 1. It does a good job in the main. The programme is sponsored by Danske Bank. That is totally wrong because many people have banking issues. I have raised them on behalf of people. One cannot have an open or honest debate when the banks are sponsoring the programme. That bank is now exiting the country and I hope that the programme will not go with it, or the presenter. It was a terribly wrong signal to those people who are struggling under this and other banks.

There is much food for thought. For generations, local media outlets - newspapers and now stations - have provided a huge public service. RTE will lose out if there is not seen to be fairness and equity. There are lots of issues for the BAI to address. It appears to be just an extension of RTE in what our guests have said so far today.