Ms Susan Kirby:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le baill an chomhchoiste as an gcuireadh chun cur i láthair a dhéanamh inniu. I thank the Chair and the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for the invitation to present on the heads of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill 2025. I am CEO of Screen Producers Ireland, SPI, and I am joined by my colleague, Anthony Muldoon, director of strategic policy.

SPI is the national representative body for more than 220 independent film, television, animation and digital production companies in Ireland. We are the voice of the independent production sector. Our members are the creative entrepreneurs behind globally acclaimed film, TV and animation, supporting jobs across the island and promoting Ireland’s culture and heritage. Our organisation represents an all-island membership, ranging from emerging to established producers, producing entertaining, educational and culturally important work in English agus trí mheán na Gaeilge. SPI members have produced award-winning Irish-language films like "Kneecap" and "An Cailín Ciúin", acclaimed documentaries such as "Blue Road:The Edna O'Brien Story", "The Farthest", and "From That Small Island"; popular dramas like "Kin", "The Dry", and "Mix Tape"; as well as hit entertainment shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "Room to Improve". The sector is the largest creative partner to both public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, along with being key partners to Virgin Media TV. This symbiotic relationship makes the sector an integral element in the delivery of public service media and public service media content to audiences across Ireland. Recent figures from RTÉ and TG4 give some context to the depth of relationship between public service media and the sector.

In 2023, RTÉ’s independent productions unit commissioned nearly 494 hours of statutory television content. That same year, TG4 commissioned more than 800 hours of new Irish-language programming, focusing on arts, culture, heritage and sport, further strengthening its output in these key genres.

The sector is central to Ireland’s cultural life. To increase the level of investment in the sector, we have been advocating alongside industry partners since 2022 for the introduction of the AVMSD European works levy. With such a levy, our members would develop and create Irish-owned IP, supporting an ecology of Irish creative talent to tell stories here at home and on a global stage.

It is widely acknowledged that the creative industries are a critical engine and strategic priority supporting European economic growth. Here in Ireland, the industries account for 8.9% of national employment, with the Irish screen production sector central to that success. Recent figures from Screen Ireland show that the Irish audiovisual industry provided €1 billion in GVA for 2021 to 2023, with more than 15,000 full-time equivalent roles supported through the sector each year.

SPI is also the employer representative group for independent producers. We advocate for compliance with IR, HR and employment law for all working in the sector, including holding four agreements with ICTU-affiliated unions, pay deals and being signatories of the best practice guidelines for compliance with the copyright directive.

I will address some of our points on the Bill now. It is evident that the Bill reinforces the overall levels of supervision by both Coimisiún na Meán and the Department of media on public service media. In particular, head 19 of the Bill creates new frameworks for the supervision of public service media. We question whether the review framework, as set out, complies with the European Media Freedom Act. This Act states that public service media should have access to adequate, sustainable and predictable financial resources. We advocate strongly that this is achieved for public service broadcasters in Ireland.

A key provision of the Bill is the legislative commitment that at least 25% of all public money to RTÉ must be invested in the independent production sector. This is a recommendation from the Future of Media Commission, and one that is most welcome by the sector. It also aligns the legislation with the trajectory of RTÉ’s statement of strategy, A New Direction. As RTÉ’s strategy develops, and as Coimisiún na Meán begins its three-year review cycle, it is hoped that this percentage can be increased over and beyond what is legislatively required.

Regarding head 23 of the Bill, we believe it is essential to state that the Sound and Vision fund should continue to receive 7% of the TV licence fee, as it has for the past 20 years. The new schemes coming under the media fund should not take away from this amount.

To conclude, we emphasise that strong public sector broadcasters commissioning independently produced content on a year-round basis are essential for the successful development of the independent production sector. We know there is an appetite for indigenous content that serves audiences in Ireland and throughout the world. We want to work to make this happen.