Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are very welcome. We appreciate their comprehensive contributions. As previous speakers indicated, it has been fabulous for me, as a new member of this committee, to hear the different insights from the different stakeholders. I thank them for that.

I am conscious of time so I will move through as quickly and cover as much as I can. I compliment Virgin Media Television on its valuable public service programming. It is top class and what it delivers is trusted. There are many sources of information that are not trusted but Virgin Media Television is a trusted source. I wanted to acknowledge that first, particularly Virgin Media's news and current affairs output and "The Group Chat", which was mentioned and brings people behind the scenes. I think Gavan Reilly is in the Gallery.

Virgin Media's opening statement notes that delivering the company's public service content remit on a purely commercial basis is not viable under the current funding arrangements. That is of great concern to me because so many people get trusted news from Virgin Media. Will the witnesses tell us about that, especially as regards how bringing additionality will create great challenges?