Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

-----and live within them. The chairman and chief executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are aware of that fact. They are committed to examining every aspect of their business, ensuring that they pare the costs down to the bare minimum and that the final outcome in terms of expenditure could be below what has been estimated. They will publish an initial estimate but they are committed to maintaining costs to the minimum at a difficult time, particularly for many broadcasters as advertising revenues fall. The authority has additional functions. It must undertake a body of work this year in particular, as it sets itself up and takes on a range of new roles. That will involve certain outside consultants. There will not be the major increase of staff which was originally sought to take on this work. I believe the work can be done cost effectively. The authority's work benefits the industry in the short, medium and long term in providing a fair and competitive environment in which all operators know they are dealt with effectively and well. That, as well as being cost competitive, is a key requirement of the authority.

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