Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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1075. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the present policy in relation to the role of RTÉ in the production of Irish language content, and whether he feels there is any unnecessary duplication of functions or services between RTÉ and TG4 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18714/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to a strong, independent media sector that provides essential public service broadcasting, supports the independent production sector and local journalism, and upholds press freedom.

A well-resourced, transparent, and accountable media landscape is fundamental to an informed society and democracy. Plurality of voices in both the Irish and English languages is an integral part of this and both RTÉ and TG4, as well as the independent commercial sector have a role to play in this regard.

The obligations on our two public service broadcasters regarding Irish language programming is set out in legislation and it is fundamental to the ethos underlying public service broadcasting that both provide programming in our first national language.

We have committed in the Programme for Government to enhancing supports for increased use of the Irish language, and indeed over the term of the last Government significantly increased funding was provided for TG4.

The Future of Media Commission also made a series of recommendations regarding the Irish language. One such recommendation was that RTÉ give greater priority to the Irish language, and RTÉ's recent strategy commits to a number of proposals for new Irish language content which I welcome.

Other relevant Future of Media Commission recommendations included the provision of a minimum of 25% of funding through the Sound and Vision scheme to Irish language content. This is being achieved, and has also informed the development of other Media Fund schemes. The Commission also recommended that a comprehensive review of Irish language media service be carried out. The review is currently being undertaken by Coimisiún na Meán. I await their findings to see how they can inform a continued growth in the provision of Irish language content across the media sector.