Mr. Dermot Horan:

Everything starts with development. When we look to make a drama series, it starts with a writer and an idea. What we want to try to do is enable that writer to write his or her idea. That needs development money, which is key. The Senator might have seen that part of the content levy proposal, which is in the legislation, is the concept of development. Development is key because when filming starts, with 70 or 80 people at a shoot, there is no going back. The script and idea have to be right.

RTÉ is putting more money into development. We have employed, and will employ more, development people who can work with writers. We have, in association with Screen Ireland, a very good scheme, Storyland. Every autumn, three new, high-production value, half-hour dramas go out. One of those writers from last year is now writing one of the episodes of "Hidden Assets", working under Peter McKenna, the writer of "Kin" and "Hidden Assets". Another two writers are now working on a new series for young adults based in Galway. We are acutely aware that everything starts with a writer. If it starts with that writer, his or her idea, and an Irish production company, the likelihood is the IP will be retained by that production company.