Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether Government's support through RTE of two national public orchestras, the RTE Symphony and RTE Concert orchestras, is an essential element of the country's national arts and cultural infrastructure that should be protected in any review of RTE expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The company's mandate in regard to the area referred to by the Deputy is set out in subsection (1)(c) of that section and states that one of the principle objects of Raidió Teilifís Éireann is “to establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups in connection with the services of Raidió Teilifís Éireann."

It is clear to me that any review of expenditure in RTÉ would have to take cognisance of the statutory obligations of RTÉ in terms of the services that it is required to provide, including its obligations in relation to orchestral music, choirs and performing groups.