Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am happy with the responses thus far from TG4 and the Irish Film Board, but I would like to put a couple of questions to the RTE representatives.

Recognising the growth of social media across the digital platform and the real threat this poses to the principles of public sector broadcasting, namely, fairness, balance and impartiality, it is incumbent on all broadcasters, public and private, together with legislators, to move quickly to address the challenge. Ms Forbes posed that question to us in the context of her reference to what had been said by her predecessor. She appeared to be indicating that there had been a lack of action by all of us collectively in that regard, but perhaps I am wrong and she was suggesting there had been a lack of action on the part of legislators. My response is that there is a need for a greater level of engagement between all concerned, including on the ambition and vision in a business plan for how RTE would propose to spend the funding that obviously needs to be made available. I recall the report of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, which referenced the need for greater ambition on the part of RTE in identifying ways to grow and take on challenges. The report was considered by the committee, but it is for legislators to assist in considering the funding model to be used. From my point of view and that of the party I represent, we will not be found wanting in that regard.

I refer Ms Forbes to her statement that she is conscious of the human difficulty for politicians in reconciling the need to increase investment in RTE, regardless of how compelling the argument is, with its role in questioning, challenging and investigating all those involved in public life. I can assure her that whatever the role of RTE in investigating anybody involved in public life, that will not guide us in supporting public sector broadcasting. Politicians of all colours are well able to differentiate between the role of RTE in providing an investigative journalistic platform and its role as a public service broadcaster. I am not sure how Ms Forbes might be informed by that comment. I have not heard anything in the committee's discourse with RTE that would lead me to believe that has been an issue or in any way an encumbrance in our support of RTE and ensuring it receives appropriate funding. There has been the lack of an appropriate vision and ambitious planning on the part of RTE, taking into account the challenges faced by it, but it is a matter for it to develop such a plan. As I acknowledge Ms Forbes has only recently taken on her role, at this stage she might not have a plan in place, but I suspect that on the next occasion she appears before the committee it will be and that it will set out her vision for RTE, taking account all of the challenges it faces.

On funding, Ms Forbes has identified some welcome ideas. Has consideration been given to the introduction of levies to be imposed on distributors in telecommunications companies similar to those which are applicable in other markets? For example, has consideration been given to the imposition of levies on Facebook and Twitter or does Ms Forbes see them as being within the mix of distributors, although I accept that they are not telecommunications companies? In other words, does she see potential in levying social media platforms? Also, when does she expect to be in a position to bring a plan before the committee which would assist it in its deliberations on a proper funding model for RTE?