Mr. Kevin Bakhurst:

I will address some of Deputy Coffey's comments about talent and presenters. We review contracts when they come up and we will take a tough position to get value for our licence fee payers. Deputy Coffey mentioned young broadcasters. As a public service broadcaster, it is important for RTE to bring through new young talent. Deputy Coffey is absolutely right on that. We have programmes like "News2Day" in the newsroom. Presenters have come through that programme, including Carla O'Brien, who came in from outside. She did one year on that programme and she is now a news reporter in the newsroom. There is a new presenter on that programme, Orla Walsh. She came in through an open condition having finished a media course. Several people did screen tests. I have no wish to flatter her too much but she is talent for the future, I am sure.

Overall, in news and current affairs in terms of the balance of talent, we should be bringing through new talent, younger talent and good value talent. However, it is critical for us that on our key high profile programmes like "Prime Time" and "Morning Ireland", we have some of the best talent because that is what the audience expects. We will lose some people. I know our competitors are talking to one or two people whom they are hoping to lure away from us. It is a constant battle. Let us consider "Prime Time" last night with Miriam O'Callaghan and Claire Byrne. On a very important high profile programme the presenters must have credibility, a suitable background and the journalism. That is what audiences expect. There is a constant balancing act between value for money and having the key talent that the audiences deserve and expect from us.