Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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I am very glad to have the opportunity to speak. I am speaking on a slightly different issue which affects about 400,000 RTÉ viewers in the country. I refer to accessibility and inclusion in programming. We have subtitling, audio description and Irish sign language, ISL, which are important. RTÉ is doing well on subtitling and is surpassing many targets. Audio description on RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and RTÉ Junior had a target of just 10% this year. RTÉ is achieving and surpassing that target. Only 5% of programming has ISL and only 10% of the programming has audio description.

Given the reduction in the number of staff in RTÉ, I would like to ask about access to vision. Does RTÉ have any plans for live Irish ISL on RTÉ news or current affairs? Does it have any plans to expand on the requirements and targets of Coimisiún na Meán to ensure RTÉ upholds and surpasses what we want? I refer to the UNCRPD and the rights of people with disabilities to have access to news and current affairs from the public broadcaster, as I do.

Is RTÉ open to having internships in radio and TV production for disabled people? We want RTÉ to improve, change and add to its diversity. It is a pity that there has been a reduction in the number of staff in RTÉ's access division when we want to increase inclusivity and improve what is offered by RTÉ for all citizens.