Professor Pauric Travers:

Senator O'Reilly had some comments and questions about the 1916 centenary and an archiving scheme. While we funded 2016 programmes locally and nationally, we cannot claim the credit for the quality or otherwise of them, although we were certainly very happy to be able to support them. I know that RTE has been working on its archives, particularly its news archive. I was talking to someone just this morning about this and I understand RTE will launch a major development regarding its archives. As I mentioned in my presentation, we have an archiving scheme which has funded some very significant projects. The scheme is being reviewed and we will come forward with proposals in that regard.

Regarding TG4's and RTE's programming, we meet both organisations and we have met the new ceannaire of TG4. They have presented their new strategic plan, which is very well focused. We also meet and have discussions with RTE regarding its performance in a number of areas. This includes performance in the area of Irish, so we are certainly conscious of the issue and we ask RTE leading questions and searching questions about this and other areas.

Regarding the point Senator O'Reilly made about the perception or feeling that people of a particular religious disposition are not properly represented, I do not think it is a matter of whether it is right or wrong; if that is the perception, that is a great pity.