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Who knows why we’re still waiting for our RTÉ?
The laws are in place and the political and financial wheels have been set
in motion so why are the Irish in Britain still waiting for access to
RTÉ on their television screens?
That is the question being asked this week by The Irish Post on behalf of its readers.
The issue of bringing RTÉ television coverage to Britain is one that has been discussed and laboured over for many years.
In August we reported that Ireland’s State broadcaster said if a financial agreement could be agreed with the Irish Government regarding the distribution of the service in Britain there would be no obstacle left in the way of providing Irish channels to ex-pats across the water.
But in a recent parliamentary question to the Minister for Communications Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg TD asked whether any further arrangements had been agreed with RTÉ for the provision of broadcasting in Britain next year.
Responding the Minister said that RTÉ was currently planning the establishment of an international channel for such a purpose.
He also said that RTÉ has an active group working on the project.
Under new laws RTÉ is now empowered to use public funding from the television licence fee for the purpose of setting up this broadcasting system to the Irish in Britain.
Speaking to the Irish Post Mr Stagg said: “Finally after a long struggle the law has been changed to enable RTÉ to broadcast outside of the 26 counties of Ireland.
“The obstacles have been surmounted and cleared.
“The ball’s very much in their court now.”
Last year RTÉ received over Ä405million in revenue.
Its top 10 presenters and executives earned over Ä3.7million.
Mr Stagg believes an increase of Ä5 (£3.45) per year would ensure the large Irish community in Britain could stay in touch with home — that’s a 10 per cent hike in the Irish television licence fee.
And the Labour politician claims Irish stations could be broadcast via the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform in Britain for about Ä5million (£3.45 million per year).
He said: “Correspondence I have had with the director general of RTÉ Cathal Goan reveals that the cost of the best option for providing Irish television programmes to the Irish community in Britain is Ä5million per year.
“This would represent an annual increase in the TV licence of Ä5 per year, or 10 cents (7p) per week.”
But RTÉ is hoping that the Government will subsidise the delivery of a television service to Irish people living abroad — something they say is common in many European countries.
RTÉ head of public affairs policy Peter Feeney said: “We have now this working group and must identify the additional costs of what’s involved. But the process is getting near conclusion.
“The key thing now is how it will be funded.
“Before we couldn’t use the licence fee, the issue now is does the Government expect RTÉ to fund it entirely from the public license fee or would they contemplate supporting it?”
RTÉ has a working group drawing up plans for a RTÉ International Television Service.
The group is researching schedules for a new channel made up of in-house and commissioned programmes, the facilities required for a channel, marketing, finances and the means of distribution of the signal.
Mr Feeney said: “It is true that RTÉ is hoping that the Government might subsidise the delivery of a television service to Irish people living abroad.
“It is too early to put a figure on what the total cost might be or how
that cost could be met. “It’s going to be a slow process. “We have the
group and we are keen to progress it once a decision is made. “We don’t
want to keep it on the long finger.”
RTÉ and the law
1960 Broadcasting Authority Act requires RTÉ to provide a national television and radio service and permits RTÉ the
discretion to provide “broadcasting services of a local, community or regional character”.
2001 Broadcasting Act 2001 expands this remit to the provision of a television and radio service to the whole of the
island of Ireland.
2007 Broadcasting (Amendment) Act
SECTION 3:
Enacted and commenced in April of this year, further amends RTÉ’s public service remit, requiring it to provide a television
and radio service to Irish communities abroad. Stipulates that any such television service must be representative of the
existing RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4 channels.
SECTION 14:
Empowers RTÉ to utilise the public funding it receives in respect of television licence fee income in pursuance of this amended
public service remit.
Money coming in
- Licence Income: €183 million.
- Commercial Revenue: €222 million
- Total revenue: €405,000
(Figures from the RTÉ 2006 Annual Report)
Executive earnings
- Cathal Goan Director-General Basic salary €268,000
- Performance related pay €44,000
- Pension contributions €22,000
- Other benefits €26,000
- Total €360,000
(Figures from the RTÉ 2006 Annual Report)
RTÉ’s 10 highest earning presenters
- Pat Kenny: Presenter of The Late Late Show — Ireland’s number
one chat show. Kenny’s career as a broadcaster has been extensive. €768,240
- Gerry Ryan: Veteran radio presenter for RTÉ 2fm. The Gerry Ryan
Show attracts a daily audience of just under 400,000 across Ireland. €520,000
- Marian Finucane: Radio and television personality. The Marian
Finucane Show is the highest-rating weekend radio show in Ireland and
the fifth most popular radio show. €436,413
- Ryan Tubridy: Television and radio presenter. In October 2004
Tubridy began presenting Tubridy Tonight — a live Saturday night chat
show. €328,000
- Joe Duffy: Presents radio show Liveline which focuses on discussing
news headlines as well as uncovering controversies and scandals. €268,000
- Miriam O’Callaghan: Television Broadcaster. Presented a six-week chat
show on Saturday Night With Miriam, O'Callaghan still co-presents current affairs programme Prime Time. €218,200
- Derek Mooney: One of Ireland’s most popular television and radio personalities. Has presented
the weekly national lottery programme Winning Streak, as well as numerous other shows. €204,946
- John Kelly: The Co. Fermanagh writer and broadcaster hosts The View — a show that casts
an eye over entertainment and the arts — with a varied panel of contributors. €202,000
- Tommie Gorman: Is an RTÉ news reporter as well as being the State broadcaster’s
Northern editor on politics and current affairs. €200,367
- Charlie Bird: RTÉ’s Chief News Correspondent Charlie Bird has been breaking key domestic
stories and reporting on international affairs for over 25 years. €184,537
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