Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let me move to restate the comments made by Deputy Hourigan. I and my party are significantly supportive of the idea of a publicly funded broadcaster. Throughout the pandemic in particular, we have seen key programmes on RTÉ like “Morning Ireland” and “The Late Late Show” which have been crucial in communicating important public health messages, and programmes like “Prime Time” with regard to debating the different restrictions. It is very important that we have that debate and although it is not often supportive of the Government position, it is important that the debate happens in public. I want to outline my commitment to the idea of a publicly funded broadcast model.

I also want to thank RTÉ and those in RTÉ for the work they have done through what was a crucial time. It is no mistake that in a revolution, the first thing somebody does is take over the television station. There is a reason for that. The fact RTÉ is not controlled by any one political outfit and RTÉ is not an instrument of the Government or the Opposition is very important, and it is important for us to remember that in the context of this discussion. I will be questioning RTÉ nonetheless but my comments are set in that framework.

In 2021, RTÉ made a decision to no longer use the digital audio broadcasting, DAB, format, which was a programme initiated in 2006. Has there been any review of the expenditure on that or any review of the money spent on the learnings that might be taken from that for other platforms?