Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish Ms Doherty the very best. This committee is sometimes critical of RTE but all of us appreciate the absolute necessity in this State for public service broadcasting which is independent of commercial interests, political interests and, indeed, government pressure. That is essential.

We are proud of much of the very good work RTE does and I, for one, am not slow to express that pride when I think it is necessary. I will criticise when I believe is necessary but I will also recognise what is good, valuable and essential in a democracy such as ours.

Ms Doherty is very well qualified to carry out this role and she has a very impressive CV. I would like to hear her thoughts rather than a prescriptive answer to the following questions. I refer to media monopolies. RTE is independent but there is much public discourse currently in regard to media monopolies or an over-dominance by key players within the broader media. I am not just talking about broadcasting. How can Ms Doherty ensure the board continues to maintain this independent view in an environment where we may be moving towards over-dominance of broader media by key players?

My second question is in regard to the development of new talent and I am not talking about "The Voice of Ireland" or shows like that. Some commentators say that when RTE engages with the independent production sector, the same names continue to crop up. Is it the authority's role to ensure that new talent is encouraged and that it is not the same old group of companies or there is not a short list of companies that are selected every time? How will Ms Doherty ensure that role is discharged?