Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday RTÉ published a review of its two orchestras. The report, RTÉ Orchestras: Ensuring a sustainable future, was welcomed by both the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. They welcomed in particular a recommendation that the National Symphony Orchestra should be a national cultural institution in its own right and within the National Concert Hall. Section 114(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states that it is a statutory objective of RTÉ "to establish and maintain orchestras" - I stress the plural. Does the Government intend to amend that legislation in order that the National Symphony Orchestra becomes a separate national cultural institution? If that is the view, when will we see the legislation to implement that decision?

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