Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans in place to increase the level of Irish language/bilingual broadcasting here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53335/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is the independent Regulator responsible for the oversight of the broadcasting sector in this country. The Contract Awards Committee makes arrangements to invite, consider and recommend to the Authority proposals for the provision of broadcasting services additional to the existing broadcasting services provided in the State.

Section 25 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that the Authority and its statutory committees, in performing their functions shall endeavour to ensure that the number and categories of broadcasting services made available in the State best serve the needs of the Irish people bearing in mind their languages and traditions and their cultural diversity. Section 24 of the Act states that the Authority and its statutory committees shall be independent in the performance of their functions and therefore, I, as Minister have no role in the area of examining the adequacy of the current levels of Irish language broadcasting in this country nor do I have a role in commissioning increased levels of Irish language broadcasting. These matters fall solely within the remit of the Authority.

The Deputy will doubtless be aware that a dedicated independent public service Irish language channel, TG4, is already provided for in this State and has been established since 1996. Section 118(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 outlines the objects of TG4 and Section 118(3) provides that TG4 shall ensure that its programme schedules are primarily in the Irish language.

Furthermore, Section 120 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ shall provide to TG4 programme material in the Irish language that will be the equivalent of one hour of daily programming throughout the calendar year. Section 98 of the Act provides that RTÉ and TG4 shall be independent in the pursuance of their objects. There are no proposals at present to alter the statutory requirements on RTÉ or TG4 in this regard.

I should also point out to the Deputy that both TG4 and RTÉ are reviewed on an annual basis by the Authority to the extent that they are meeting and fulfilling their commitments in respect of their public service objects including their commitments in respect of the Irish language. The most recent annual review has found no inadequacy in the levels of Irish language broadcasting on RTÉ or TG4.