Ms Susan Kirby:

Yes, absolutely. As I said, we absolutely welcome and acknowledge that multiannual funding was committed to for RTÉ last year. That allows RTÉ to plan and engage with our membership in a meaningful way in terms of strategically investing in the sector. We advocate that this be extended beyond 2028 and into the following three years at a minimum. However, it is absolutely critical that it is maintained in the legislation and that RTÉ commits to 25% of all public funding being spent in the independent production sector, not least because it is a recommendation of the Future of Media Commission report, but also because it underpins RTÉ's strategy.

I might also take a slightly wider view. If we look at the fact that the audiovisual media services directive, AVMSD, works levy may not be introduced and there could be movement on the investment at 25%, our sector could be looking at a situation where two significant pillars of funding would be eroded, undermined or delayed, which is frankly unpalatable. What does that mean? It means independent producers who are largely SMEs based all over Ireland - regional employers, which are the foundation of plurality in media and creative output - would be undermined and under-resourced. While we have sympathy with RTÉ's position on meeting that 25%, it is critical for the committee to insist it is met.