Mr. Kevin Bakhurst:

I very much welcome the fact that there is now a real live discussion about the best way to fund public service media in this country. I have had discussions with the Sinn Féin Party but also with Government parties about the pros and cons of the different ways of doing it. What I have always said is that this is not a decision for RTÉ. Members will be pleased to hear that. It is a decision for the Oireachtas.

Senator Warfield outlined some of the important things going forward, which are, first, to maintain the independence of RTÉ as the national broadcaster, second, to give a certain stability and predictability to funding and third, to make sure that if RTÉ is to provide the range of public service channels and content we provide for this country, it is properly funded to do that. I think there is a golden opportunity here. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Government and the Oireachtas to resolve this for the future. The other side of the equation is that we absolutely pledge that if we are properly funded, we will deliver in the way that the Oireachtas, the Irish people, and audiences expect, which is high-quality public service content. We will support democracy, tackle disinformation and deliver an organisation that is transparent and accountable. I have said that again and again. That is my intention. That is why I am in this role.