Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I originally raised this issue when the show was being advertised and I do not think that it had commenced so it was not in the time when there were difficulties with illness or things like that. RTÉ repeatedly told us in its letter how cash strapped it was and said, "We must try new things, to grow and sustain all we are obliged to do." I have no problem with innovation and trying new things. However, I would expect that there would be some degree of a cost-benefit analysis beforehand and I am not sure if that has happened.

RTÉ has a specific remit. On the last page of the letter, it states that RTÉ "will of course conclude a much more detailed analysis of Toy Show the Musical in due course. As would by typical of musicals of this scale and ambition, our aim is to bring the show back over a number of years to recoup our investment.” So it does appear the intention is to repeat the musical. It would be useful to see if RTÉ will conduct a review in advance. I am sure that venues must be booked a long time in advance but it would be useful to see the review. I think that it would be quite useful to ask RTÉ if it has included the cost of promoting the musical in its cost-benefit analysis. I ask because the event was heavily promoted and there may be opportune costs in terms of where they slot that in when it comes to other advertising.

I shall outline one of the things that has been brought to my attention. With live shows there is always a risk and sometimes they do not work out as people would like because people can get sick and we know that this winter has been particularly difficult. RTÉ needs to learn a few lessons such as telling people well in advance if there is a risk that a show may not happen. I say that because people were in their seats awaiting the musical to begin having bought all their stuff in the shop beforehand and it was only then they were advised the show would not start. I know ten people who spent €500 in the shop and then took their seats but then everyone was advised that the show was not going to start so all of their popcorn and everything else was added to the cost. There were people, for example, who had booked hotel rooms and made travel arrangements, etc. Many people were disappointed when the show was cancelled. All of that must be factored into the associated risks. RTÉ should demonstrate fair play by telling people about the risks well in advance and I hope that it has learned its lesson.

The committee should seek the review that has been mentioned. I have no problem with RTÉ being innovative, trying different things and trying to earn cash in different ways but I want to know was a cost-benefit analysis ever considered. We are likely to have RTÉ in again this year and it would be useful for us to see the review as part of its profile.