Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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582. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the proposed outsourcing of children’s programming from RTÉ to private production companies; his views on this decision and the manner in which it was presented to staff members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39711/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act.

While it remains subject to discussion with the RTÉ Trade Union Group, RTÉ’s recent announcement that it intends to commission its young people’s programmes from the independent sector is solely a matter for the Board and management of RTÉ and, as such, it is not one that I, as Minister, have a role.