Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

On the Minister's comment concerning his function, RTE's decision to close its London bureau is a matter of public interest. In that regard, I note the issue was also raised in Westminster through a cross-party motion signed by Margaret Ritchie, MP, Mark Durkan, MP, and a number of MPs from the Labour Party and Conservative Party. The motion states that "on-the-spot access for Irish-based media and engagement in public life in this jurisdiction is vital to fulfil the vision of future British-Irish relations as set out by the Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach in their historic statement of 12 March 2012".

We are at an historical juncture in British-Irish relations following the visit of the Queen and the peace process is ongoing. If it was important to have a news office in London in the past, it is just as important that RTE maintains such an office today. The move to close the London news bureau is a short-termist decision. RTE is a public broadcaster and I hope that the Minister and Deputies, as public representatives, will influence this decision. Good quality news programming is what distinguishes public service broadcasters from other broadcasters and dumbing down to cut costs will eliminate this distinction.

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