Ms Si?n N? Raghallaigh:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach agus leis an choiste as cuireadh a thabhairt dom teacht ina láthair inniu. Mar is eol dóibh, ceapadh le tamall beag anuas mé i mo chathaoirleach ar bhord RTÉ agus is breá liom mo chion féin a dhéanamh, i dteannta chomhaltaí eile an bhoird agus an lucht feidhmiúcháin, maidir le bealach úr a leagan amach don phríomhchraoltóir náisiúnta seirbhíse poiblí ionas go ndéanfar é a chothú agus a chóiriú i rith na mblianta seo amach romhainn.

In an increasingly competitive and fragmented media landscape, RTÉ plays a critical role in Irish life, where nine in every ten adults use one or more of RTÉ's services each week, making it one of the most relied-upon services in the country. Many of the achievements are made possible by RTÉ’s journalists, presenters, administrative and support staff, editors, and programme makers and by RTÉ working together with its primary content partner, the independent production sector. In 2022, RTÉ invested more than €43 million with the independent sector and worked with 121 independent television production companies as well as with 32 independent radio production companies.

In 2022 Ireland's creative talent on both sides of the camera received richly deserved global recognition, serving as a timely reminder of the world-class standards now consistently achieved here in Ireland. We look forward to deepening our relationship with the independent production sector.

Misinformation is an increasingly acute global problem and there is no room for complacency as to the importance of a trusted, independent and impartial national news service. Given the increasing reach of international streaming services, Ireland faces a real risk of cultural dilution. National storytelling in all its forms is hugely important and RTÉ has a huge role to play in combatting misinformation with facts, journalistic rigour and impartiality. As Ireland’s national storyteller, RTÉ has a unique role in sustaining and supporting Irish storytelling in all its forms.

Craoladh níos mó ná 1,000 uair an chloig d'ábhar Gaeilge ar cheithre sheirbhís líneacha teilifíse RTÉ anuraidh, agus rinne RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ceiliúradh ar 50 bliain ó thráth a bhunaithe, ionas gur neartaíodh pobal na Gaeltachta agus pobal na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre trína gcuid scéalta, a gcuid amhrán agus a gcuid ceoil a chur in iúl. In éineacht le TG4, rinne RTÉ freisin cion mór tairbhe maidir le cur chun cinn agus úsáid ár teanga náisiúnta.

All of this testifies to the importance of national public service media as a key element of national infrastructure. Audiences are presented with more choice than ever, not just about what to watch, but how, when and where to watch it. New players continue to enter the market. Global giants with deep pockets continue to invest in compelling content for global audiences, including Irish audiences and with the unprecedented appeal of live sport, pursue lucrative sports rights. Listening habits are also changing fast, with the growing popularity of podcasts on demand for all tastes.

RTÉ must respond to these changes if we are to be as central to the lives of this generation as we were for their parents. Our capacity to innovate and adapt is central to the success of the organisation and with this comes challenges. Technological change, while necessary, is often expensive. In the last 15 years RTÉ has embraced many of the opportunities of digital technologies but increased investment in digital services will need to be prioritised, as will an increased focus on greater levels of diversity within the organisation and within its content. While the board and the RTÉ executive have a strong sense of purpose and ambition for the future evolution of the organisation, we also remain mindful of some of the risks and actions that must be addressed to ensure that the organisation remains relevant and financially stable. There are significant strategic choices ahead as we continue to consider how to serve audiences better within financial constraints.

It is a modern reality that increasing numbers of people are consuming their media, both short form, full programmes and longer articles, from digital devices. We are all aware of the rapid growth of so-called "No TV" homes. All this also speaks to the importance of reconciling the system which underpins the funding of public service media with the realities of how it is consumed. As we all know, and have formally acknowledged, the current liability for TV licence fee does not reflect how media is consumed and a Government decision and plan on its reform must be enacted swiftly to ensure public service media is to survive and thrive. RTÉ will also have to recalibrate its commercial strategy to align with digital consumption. Ireland’s population is too small to sustain public service media by licence fee alone, so it is important that RTÉ continues to be as resourceful and creative as possible in generating income to deliver against its comprehensive remit.

The board and I welcome the creation of Coimisiún na Meán, the work of which includes ensuring that Ireland has a thriving, diverse and safe online and media landscape. RTÉ looks forward to working with the commission to create ambitious goals that will meet the needs of Ireland’s audiences of all ages. We also look forward to working with our national legislators, including this committee, which also has a part to play in shaping the legislative and financial framework which will underpin the foundation to sustain national public service media for the decade ahead and beyond.

There are challenging times ahead, but it is also a significant moment of opportunity for the re-imagining of a new RTÉ. If we work together effectively over the years ahead, we can all create a legacy to be proud of.