Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their attendance and thank the petitioner for the opportunity to have this discussion, which is very helpful. There is widespread support for the two orchestras. Perhaps at times we take them for granted, but they are definitely not something anyone wants to see gone. I am very struck by the partner report, in which it says in respect of the demographics of the listenerships that the hardest group to reach are younger people. If the orchestras go to Electric Picnic, they will reach the younger people. That has been hugely positive and just shows that the RTÉ Concert Orchestra has been looking to actively reach out to a new audience in new ways. My starting point is a hugely positive one.

Most of my questions have been touched on so I will not rehash them. I was going to ask how much the orchestras actually cost because, between the report and the other piece, I do not have that information. I heard a figure of €4 million mentioned as to what will come in and heard that the Minister had input. Is that the shortfall? I ask the witnesses to answer these questions first and then I may follow on from them.