Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the decision by RTÉ to cease the broadcast of long-wave radio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21894/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The closure of RTÉ’s longwave radio service was included in the recommendations made by the Future of Media Commission, whose Report was published by Government in July 2022. Government further published, in January this year, an Implementation Strategy and Action Plan to give effect to the accepted recommendations.

The Commission’s recommendation with regard to longwave radio was designed to provide RTÉ with the opportunity to concentrate its resources in innovation and digital services, to better serve the public now and into the future. Ultimately, however, this was an operational decision for RTÉ.

Longwave radio transmission is an outdated technology with very few services remaining in Europe and is generally no longer accessible on modern radio sets. To continue the service would have required significant investment in the transmitter, estimated by RTÉ to be in the region of €2.6 million, while the transmission of longwave incurs significant energy costs. As such RTÉ considered the cost of maintaining the service, both financially and to the environment, to be excessive and no longer sustainable. RTÉ believe that closing its longwave service will assist it in meeting its emissions reductions target and contribute to the achievement of National Climate Action Plan targets.

While it is regrettable that the closure of longwave radio may have impacted members of the Irish community living in the UK, RTÉ Radio 1 remains available to them through a number of services. In addition to digital radio apps, RTÉ Radio 1 is also available in the UK on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat television services. I understand that RTÉ worked with the Embassy in London and the Consulate in Manchester to run a targeted campaign in advance of the closure to provide information to those wishing to access RTÉ Radio One in the UK, and continue to provide information to those seeking advice.