My Department received notification in April 1999 that a complaint had been lodged with the European Commission which alleges infringements of Articles 92 to 94 of the treaty in respect of the funding both RTE and Teilifís na Gaeilge receive from the Exchequer. It is a matter in the first place for the Commission to decide on the merits or otherwise of the complaint. I understand that the Commission has received similar complaints in relation to the funding of public service broadcasters in a number of member states. I also understand that the Commission is currently drawing up internal guidelines to assist it in dealing in a consistent manner with complaints under state aid rules relating to public service broadcasters.
As I have indicated in responses to earlier questions in the House, in particular Question No. 347 of 12 December 2000, my position, which is a position shared by all the member states, is that public service broadcasting, as recognised by the Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty, must be upheld and cannot be allowed to be undermined.