Ms Aoife MacEvilly:

I thank Deputy Brennan very much. I will respond briefly on the 25% spend on the independent sector. We all agree this is a very important goal. It is very important that we do so in the right manner and in terms of timing. That is the area we are engaged on now as part of the development of the framework - when RTÉ will be in a position to do this, and to do it well, and to support the independent sector that we all know is so important. We are all agreed on that. Likewise on local radio: we fully agree with what was said about the importance of local commercial and community radio, which is increasing across the country.

We see good statistics around engagement, and they are looking for more local content and news, and more regional news. That is something that is starting to come through even in the early days of our review of the public service media framework. We are involved in a couple of pieces of work. We are going to be launching a broadcasting services strategy that will look at what types of services are needed or valued by audiences across the country, including for local and community radio. Through our licensing regime, we are ensuring that we are providing that kind of content for local communities.

We are developing a new plurality policy that will look at the areas the Deputy identified in terms of ownership of broadcasters, which is another matter that will come within our bailiwick under the European Media Freedom Act. There is also the matter of how we get the diversity of voices and the plurality of views represented on our broadcasters. It is not only about diversity of ownership; it is also about diversity of views and letting people around the country hear their voices and views reflected in the radio services.

Maybe another aspect of how we support local radio is the funding. I will hand over to Mr. Ó Domhnaill to deal with that.