Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The concept of multi-annual funding is something every State and public body seeks, and for good reason. Ministers look for it too because it gives us certainty regarding, say, the number of roads we are going to build, the amount of cables we are going to lay or the number of pylons we are going to build.

It gives a certainty with regard to a whole pile of things.

The events of the past four or five days should serve all of us well in terms of the economic position of the country and the type of waters we are sailing into. We are very fortunate that we have run budget surpluses and that we have the economic situation we have. Had we taken the advice of some people, we would be in a totally different position, particularly now as we do not know what is going to emerge between the United States and the European Union. We have to be conscious of that. The summer economic statement will lay down in clear terms the parameters for Government spending. It will also give us ceilings as to what we will achieve. That will be done over the next number of years.

Coimisiún na Meán has a view on this. One of the recommendations was that funding would be multi-annual. We hope to have the broadcasting Bill finished in the Oireachtas soon. I met TG4 last week. In fairness, it is supportive and understanding of the Government's limitations. We should be able to try to achieve the type of thing it is asking for. TG4 does a fantastic job. It has specific asks related to news and other areas, none of which is unreasonable. I am looking forward to working with CEO and the board-----