Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have been critical of RTÉ in this House on many occasions but I compliment the broadcaster on an excellent documentary on Sergeant Maurice McCabe that was shown over the past two nights. We must focus on the sustainability of public service broadcasting, particularly the licence fee. An excellent report from both Houses was published with recommendations that were sent to the appropriate Minister at the time, Deputy Naughten. He set up a working group that is supposed to provide findings in the first quarter of 2019. The funding of public sector broadcasting is worthy of debate in this House, particularly its sustainability. Screen Producers Ireland had a briefing this morning for Members identifying the knock-on effect of a poorly-funded public service broadcaster and the effect on the sector producing high-quality content for RTÉ. In 2008, approximately €80 million was spent commissioning these films and documentaries but now the figure is down to €40 million. If we got our house in order in the collection of the licence fee, it would allow the additional €40 million that could be collected to be invested in good quality programming.

Many independent radio stations broadcast far and wide in this country, and they broadcast public service content as a condition of their licence. This is an onerous financial pressure on those radio stations. At an early stage I would like a debate with the Minister on the funding of public service broadcasting not just with regard to RTÉ but with a consideration of the impact it has on the screen producers of Ireland and independent radio shows across the country. I would be grateful if the Leader could facilitate that at an early stage.