Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Jul 2023

Vol. 1042 No. 2

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

55. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí buartha mar an tAire atá freagrach as cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 go bhfuil teip ar alt 7 sa chomhthéacs nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge foilsithe seachas i gcás 21% den 511 Acht a bhí le cur ar fáil i nGaeilge faoi 2024 de réir chinneadh na hArd-Chúirte i 2019, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aici dul i mbun comhrá leis an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Rannóg an Aistriúchán, nó Seirbhís Thithe an Oireachtais chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm an alt seo go luath. [34777/23]

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Cuirim an cheist seo ar an Aire atá freagrach as Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. An bhfuil sí buartha go bhfuil an chuma ar an scéal nach bhfuil ag éirí leis an Stát cloí le rialú na hArd-Chúirte le déileáil le riaráistí de breis is 500 Acht gan leagan Gaeilge a bheith orthu?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Tar éis dul i gcomhar le Seirbhís Thithe an Oireachtais, tuigtear dom go bhfuil riaráistí ar thiontuithe oifigiúla ann agus go bhfuil an tseirbhís ag obair chun na riaráistí sin a fhoilsiú ar bhonn sceidealta. Is léir nach mbaineann alt 7 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 leis na riaráistí sin go léir, áfach, ós rud é nár tháinig an t-alt i bhfeidhm go dtí mí Iúil 2006. Tá curtha in iúl dom go bhfuil na hAchtanna riaráiste sin go léir aistrithe anois agus go bhfuil siad ag céimeanna éagsúla den phróiseas. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá 25% den 511 Acht foilsithe anois agus tá 33% eile idir profáil agus seiceáil deiridh. Sa chomhthéacs sin, in ainneoin deacrachtaí earcaíochta agus foirne a bhfuil fianaise tugtha ina leith ina tuarascálacha bliantúla agus eile, tá an tseirbhís fós ag obair i dtreo na sprice a leagadh síos i gcinneadh na hArd-Chúirte in 2019 a bhaint amach faoi 2024.

Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an tseirbhís ag breathnú ar na próisis earcaíochta atá in úsáid faoi láthair le feiceáil an bhfuil bealach le barrfheabhas a chur orthu agus tuilleadh daoine a mhealladh isteach. Ni aon iontas é go bhfuil deacrachtaí ag an tseirbhís cur le líon na mball foirne le Gaeilge le tabhairt faoin obair seo. Is fadhb choitianta í trasna na tíre i ngach earnáil tráth a bhfuil lán-fhostaíocht sa Stát i gcoitinne. Is léiriú é chomh maith ar an méadú thar chuimse atá tagtha ar líon na ndeiseanna fostaíochta atá ar fáil do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge de bharr thionchar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 agus Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012. San áireamh anseo, dár ndóigh, tá poist mar phleanálaithe teanga, poist mar sheirbhísí phoiblí, agus poist in earnáil na fógraíochta ó cuireadh tús feidhme leis an bhforáil sin den Acht Teanga anuraidh.

Go ginearálta, tuigfidh an Teachta áfach gur gnó é d'Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú an Achta agus nach bhfuil aon ról agam mar Aire ann. Is gnó é chomh maith do chomhlachtaí poiblí iad féin a gcuid dualgas faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh. Tá tiomantas na seirbhíse don teanga le léiriú go soiléir chomh maith ina plean straitéiseach 2022-24 ina mbaineann toradh straitéiseach a cúig go sonrach leis an nGaeilge agus an obair i dtreo Oireachtas dátheangach. Tuigtear dom chomh maith gur reáchtáil sí Collóiciam an Oireachtais ar Pharlaimintí Dátheangacha le déanaí chun breathnú ar dhea-chleachtais i dtíortha eile, eadhon, an Bhreatain Bheag agus Málta sa chomhthéacs seo.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Go raibh maith agat a Aire. De réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003, alt 7, "A luaithe is féidir tar éis aon Acht den Oireachtas a achtú, déanfar an téacs den chéanna a chló agus a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla." Níl sé sin tarlaithe. In ainneoin an méid atá ráite ag an Aire agus obair na gcapall atá á dhéanamh ag an gcóras aistriúcháin sna Tithe, tá fadhb bhunúsach ann nach bhfuil Achtanna ar fáil i nGaeilge láithreach bonn. Caithfimid déileáil le sin. In ainneoin go bhfuil dul chun cinn déanta, níl muid ag cloí leis an rialú a tháinig ón Ard-Chúirt in 2019 agus tá Achtanna a ritheadh anseo ó shin. In ainneoin na ndeacrachtaí, an bhfuil an tAire sásta go mbeimid ag cloí leis na coinníollacha a leag an Ard-Chúirt ar an Stát na hAchtanna ar fad a bheith ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla roimh an bhliain seo chugainn?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Mar a dúirt mé cheana, is gnó é chomh maith do sheirbhís Thithe an Oireachtais féin a cuid dualgais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh. Tuigfidh an Teachta chomh maith gur ghnó é d’Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú an Achta agus nach bhfuil aon ról agamsa mar Aire dá réir.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

An aontódh an tAire liom gurb é réiteach na faidhbe seo ná na Billí a fhoilsiú cosúil le Ceanada go dhá-theangach ar an gcéad dul síos agus déileáil leis seo ó thús? Ansin bheadh muid in ann na hAchtanna, nuair atá siad rite, a bheith sínithe ag an Uachtarán i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla ag an am céanna agus go ndéileáilfeadh sin leis an bhfadhb. B'fhéidir go gcothódh sé fadhbanna ar feadh tamall ó thaobh seirbhísí aistriúcháin anseo. Chomh maith le sin, tá ról ag an Aire mar an t-Aire atá bainteach le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla chun déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil na forálacha ar fad comhlíonta. Tá obair ar leith le déanamh ag Tithe an Oireachtais agus tá obair ar leith, dár ndóigh, ag an Aire Dlí agus Cirt. Sa deireadh thiar thall, caithfimid cinnte a dhéanamh de nach bhfuil masla a thabhairt againne don teanga náisiúnta agus nach bhfuilimid ag maslú iad siúd atá ag iarraidh cásanna cúirte a thógáil nó an dlí a scrúdú i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Aithním an imní atá ar an Teachta Ó Snodaigh maidir leis an gceist áirithe seo. Tá sé le feiceáil go minic agam go bhfuil Tithe an Oireachtais tiomanta dhá-theangachas a chruthú sna Tithe seo. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, tuigfidh an Teachta gur ghnó é d’Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú an Achta agus nach bhfuil aon ról agam mar Aire ann. Is gnó é chomh maith do chomhlachtaí poiblí iad féin a gcuid dualgais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh. Tuigtear dom go maith gur reachtaíodh Collóiciam an Oireachtais ar Pharlaimintí Dátheangacha le déanaí chun breathnú ar dhea-chleachtais i dtíortha eile a dhéanann tíortha cosúil leis an mBreatain Bheag agus Málta sa chomhthéacs sin.

Questions Nos. 56 and 57 taken with Written Answers.

Broadcasting Sector

Brian Leddin

Question:

58. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the review of public service broadcasting will examine the role of advertising and programme sponsorship on influencing public opinion with respect to climate action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34707/23]

Deputy Brian Leddin

Will the review of public service broadcasting examine the role of advertising and programme sponsorship on influencing public opinion with respect to climate change, and will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Deputy Catherine Martin

The independent examination of RTÉ, which I announced last week, will be composed of two reviews, namely, a review of governance and culture, and a review of contractor fees, human resources and other matters. While the terms of reference of the review of governance and culture of RTÉ does not explicitly reference climate change, it does provide for an assessment of the impact of RTÉ's commercial income activities on its public service remit. This aspect would be expected to address the impact of sponsorship, product placement and advertising on delivering a service that has the character of a public service, as provided for in section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. If any findings of the review indicate any such editorial influence was exercised, including in respect of climate action, they will be referred to Coimisiún na Meán for investigation.

I agree we need strong regulatory rules on sponsorship and product placement. I recently brought the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 though the Oireachtas, which put the regulation of video-on-demand services such as the RTÉ Player on a statutory footing for the first time.

Following the passage of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, section 46N of the Broadcasting Act now provides that Coimisiún na Meán may make media service codes which are binding on broadcasting and video-on-demand services, such as RTÉ television and the RTÉ Player. Furthermore, section 7(4)(c) of the Broadcasting Act provides that Coimisiún na Meán will have regard to climate change and environmental sustainability in the performance of its functions. Coimisiún na Meán has indicated that a consultation on the new media codes will be undertaken this quarter. This will be an opportunity to suggest amendments to the codes, including to the general commercial communications code.

I have also taken action to support programming in relation to climate action. Under the Climate Action Plan 2021, my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications allocated €2.5 million each for a total of €5 million to the sound and vision scheme to promote media content which raises awareness of climate change and promotes action and behavioural change to combat it. That funding was awarded in December 2022 and will support ten radio projects and 15 television projects.

Deputy Brian Leddin

I commend the Minister on the speed and effectiveness with which she has handled the crisis we are seeing in public service broadcasting. She has played a strong leadership role and she is continuing to play that strong leadership role with the answer she has just given me. That is very welcome news. The influence of advertising sponsorship and product placement is at the very front of the Minister’s mind when it comes to public service broadcasting. As she and all Members of the House will know, money buys influence. An incredible amount of money is spent on advertising every year. The whole point of advertising is to influence public opinion and consumer decisions. We cannot afford confusion among the public when it comes to climate action and what the right consumer decisions are with regard to climate action. That is why we need very strong oversight of advertising and programme sponsorship in this area.

Deputy Catherine Martin

I agree. That is why I think it is about the examination and whatever findings come out from that. It is also about what Coimisiún na Meán is doing, and we have strengthened its remit through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. As I said, Coimisiún na Meán has indicated in the work programme it published last week that it will be consulting on the making of media service codes this quarter with a view to bringing them in before the end of the year. Section 7(4)(c) of the Broadcasting Act provides that Coimisiún na Meán will have regard to climate change and environmental sustainability in the performance of its functions, and it will be no surprise to the Deputy that this is something I will be seeking as well. I will ask my officials to engage further with Coimisiún na Meán with regard to the making of the new media service codes and rules, including in regard to advertising, sponsorship, product placement rules and climate change.

Deputy Brian Leddin

That is very good news. As I understand the Minister, the public will have an opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the Coimisiún na Meán code. With respect to advertising and regulation, we do this all the time and we have done it for very good reason, particularly in the area of public health and most notably with respect to regulating cigarettes and alcohol. There is a strong climate reason to regulate and to have very strong oversight of how money is spent on advertising, programme sponsorship and product placement with respect to climate, but it is not just with respect to climate. When I think about cars, there is actually a public health argument there as well. With respect to car advertising, which is strongly linked to climate change, we need to move from a car-oriented society to one that is not. Separate to the climate argument, there is also a public health argument. All of these things need to be looked at very seriously. I again commend the Minister on the leadership she is showing in the matter.

Deputy Catherine Martin

As I said, given the examination I announced last week, I believe the terms of reference of the review of governance and culture provide for that assessment of the impact of RTÉ’s commercial income. I believe this aspect might be expected to address the impact of sponsorship, product placement and advertising on delivering a service that has the character of a public service. Confronting the climate crisis is one of the primary challenges facing our society.

As Ireland's media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the exercise of its functions and this is a requirement of European law through Article 30 of the revised audiovisual media services directive. It is neither appropriate nor legally permissible for me to direct Coimisiún na Meán as regards the content of its media service code, but it will be consulting in regard to the making of the code with a view to bringing in its new media service code before the end of the year.

Media Pluralism

Richard Bruton

Question:

59. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has assessed the future patterns of media consumption and the implications this has for public policy. [34167/23]

Deputy Richard Bruton

Looking out the back window, we can see that print has collapsed by more than 50% since the year 2000. RTÉ and TG4 together have 52 minutes per day of viewing, which is less than YouTube, as people move away to the à la carte approach and multiple channels of consumption. We have seen commercial income in RTÉ collapse from €250 million to €150 million. I would like to explore with the Minister where these trends are heading in the future, in her view, and what it means for public policy.

Deputy Catherine Martin

One of the key objectives of the Future of Media Commission was to consider how changing trends in media consumption were affecting media in Ireland and how future funding could be made secure and sustainable. In broad terms, the commission identified a long-term shift in the pattern of consumption of media towards online media and social media platforms, and towards accessing media on phones and laptops rather than traditional television sets. This analysis of the long-term changes in patterns of consumption underpins current media policy. In July 2022, the Government decided to accept 49 of the commission's 50 recommendations and, in January 2023, the Future of Media Commission action plan was published and set out key timelines for the implementation of the commission's recommendations.

A key recommendation accepted by Government was the establishment of a new media fund. This fund will support public service content provided by local, regional and national media in the commercial and community sector, as well as by statutory public service broadcasters. Of key importance is the fact that it will be platform neutral and will be open to print and online media as well as broadcasters. Establishing the media fund will require legislative change and the approval of the European Commission in relation to state aid aspects.

In the interim, I secured €6 million in budget 2023 to establish the fund on an administrative basis, with the priority being the development of a local democracy reporting scheme and a courts reporting scheme. My Department has consulted extensively with stakeholders on the proposed approach and is currently finalising the broad parameters of the schemes. This will inform their detailed design and implementation by Coimisiún na Meán.

The Government has paused a decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting until such time as the external independent examination of RTÉ that I am initiating is complete and the findings considered. This will be an important input into rebuilding trust in RTÉ by the public, the Oireachtas and its staff. It is envisaged the media fund will be supported in the longer term through that future funding model rather than the annual Estimates.

I brought the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act through to enactment last year. This Act overhauls the regulatory framework for media to ensure it is fit for the new age of media consumption and that regulatory standards are applied to user-generated content for the first time. I acknowledge that in bringing that legislation through the Houses, I was building on the work done by Deputy Bruton as in his time as Minister with responsibility for communications.

Deputy Richard Bruton

What I am trying to get at is the Minister's perception of the direction of the media. Are we going to see a continuing decline in print media which will undermine what we have got used to, that is, local print media and quality printed journalism? Will we continue to see the commercial income of these traditional media decline more and more? Some 55% of advertising revenue already goes to the online platforms and it looks to be heading only one way. The Government has ducked the issue of reform of the funding mechanism and the more powerful broadcasting commission that was envisaged by the Future of Media Commission. That has been dodged, to an extent. The question is what is the alternative to that if these trends continue.

Deputy Catherine Martin

The rise of new technologies and delivery channels for people to consume news has had a profound effect on news media, both in Ireland and across the world. In particular, traditional news media, such as television and print news, have significantly declined as a main source of news for Irish people since 2015, with print suffering a decline from 49% to 23%.

This is in contrast to online media, including social media, which has remained a main source of news for approximately 80% of Irish people since 2015. This has given rise to funding difficulties across the news media industry, given the lower willingness of the public to pay for online news.

I have the report of the technical working group, and the funding model was something I was advancing. I agree with the Taoiseach - indeed, it has been my modus operandi - that we have to grasp this nettle. I am determined to do that, but we had to pause the decision even though I was at an advanced stage of negotiations with the relevant Ministers on the recommendations on a future funding model. I had to pause it because, to make the new model land, we needed an environment of trust. We will continue the discussions, though. I do not believe we will pause those, nor should we. There are recommendations from the technical working group that was established to examine the funding model. Such an examination was essential because what is now in place is not the way forward. It needs reform and we need an enhancement of the television licence fee. It is essential we reflect changes.

Deputy Richard Bruton

It seems the Government has rejected the Exchequer funding model in favour of trying to patch up the leaky licence fee model. It also seems the Government has rejected the idea of a powerful broadcasting commission that, as the developmental body, would not just oversee in considerable detail the performance of RTÉ but also the performance of the other media that looked to it for funding. Is this the future? Does the Minister agree with having a stronger broadcasting commission that would oversee content to the sort of minute degree it oversees RTÉ now? RTÉ’s detailed performance reporting runs to hundreds of pages. Is the mix of commercial income and limping along with the licence fee the alternative to that? I feel we are falling between two stools. We do not have a clear picture of the direction of future travel.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Securing sustainable funding is key to the success of public service media. The regulation of all media is essential. We accepted 49 of the Future of Media Commission’s recommendations. The one that was not accepted last year was on an Exchequer funding model. The Government is of the view that reform and enhancement of the current television licence fee system is essential. We set up a technical working group to examine how that could be achieved. That group submitted a report to me at the end of March and we were at an advanced stage of negotiations on that, but it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the content of the technical group’s report before it is considered by the Government.

Given recent events, the decision has been paused, but we are determined to make a decision on the matter in the lifetime of this Government. Regulation of media is essential. We will not have the exact same codes for broadcasters and YouTube, for example, but there will be strong regulation of those as needed.

Deputy Richard Bruton

We are in the worst of all worlds at the moment. A cloud is hanging over RTÉ and the Government is withdrawing the future funding process. Effectively, there will be political decisions about funding in the short term. That is not a satisfactory position. We need to clear the fog rapidly. I commend the Minister on having a review, but there is work to be done by the Government to have a much clearer vision of where our landing zone might be.

Deputy Catherine Martin

The decision had to be paused because the environment of trust is not there. That is why the examination I have initiated is key. We are cognisant of the value of our national broadcaster and its security from the points of view of public service broadcasting and its staff.

Regarding the Future of Media Commission’s report, there was a provision for interim funding. I provided €15 million last year under the recommendations. The report provides for €16 million this year. We need to take everything into consideration in September when we examine how RTÉ stands in terms of the television licence and commercial advertising compared with last year. There will be an interim funding mechanism while we discuss the decision on the future funding model.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Has sufficient cognisance been had of the considerable advantage social media has over national broadcasting in terms of control, product, quality and presentation? Will that be taken into account sufficiently to ensure public broadcasting can exist against that kind of competition? How might we try to achieve a level playing pitch?

Deputy Catherine Martin

All of this was considered by the Future of Media Commission in its report, which was concerned with changing trends and different ways of accessing information. We accepted 49 of the report’s 50 recommendations. It was just the commission’s recommendation on the funding model that we did not accept because we were afraid of the connection between the Government and public service broadcasting.

Long-term funding is something we are discussing. User-generated content cannot be treated the same as editorial media. I have introduced strong legislation in the Online Safety and Media Regulation, OSMR, Act.

Na Meáin Chumarsáide

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

60. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén plean atá aici chun muinín an phobail in RTÉ a atógáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34726/23]

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan

Léiríonn gach rud a bhí le cloisteáil faoi RTÉ le roinnt seachtainí anuas an láimhseáil ainnis agus míchothrom agus an chaimiléireacht fiú a bhí ar siúl in RTÉ. Tá daoine feargach mar gheall air. Braitheann an fhoireann atá thíos leis nach raibh cothrom na féinne á fháil. Tá an-díobháil déanta. Cén plean atá ag an Aire chun athchóiriú a dhéanamh agus chun muinín a atógáil in RTÉ?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Is cuid ríthábhachtach dár ndaonlathas é craoltóir seirbhíse poiblí iontaofa. I bhfianaise na gceisteanna faoi RTÉ a tháinig chun solais le déanaí, ní mór an mhuinín sin a atógáil. Ní féidir é seo a bhaint amach ach trí scrúdú leathan cuimsitheach a dhéanamh ar na fadhbanna in RTÉ agus trí bhealaí nua a chur i bhfeidhm chun gnó a dhéanamh chun nach dtarlóidh siad arís.

Dé Máirt seo caite, an 4 Iúil, d'aontaigh an Rialtas le moltaí a thug mé chun tosaigh chun tús a chur le scrúdú cuimsitheach ar RTÉ ina mbeadh dhá ghné: athbhreithniú neamhspleách chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar struchtúir rialachais agus ar chultúr eagraíochtúil RTÉ, a ndéanfaidh sainchoiste comhairleach um rialachas maoirseacht air; agus athbhreithniú neamhspleách chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na meicníochtaí trína bhfostaítear conraitheoirí seachtracha, na táillí a íoctar, úsáid gníomhairí agus ábhair eile acmhainní daonna in RTÉ, a ndéanfaidh coiste comhairleach saineolaithe ar tháillí conraitheoirí agus cúrsaí acmhainní daonna maoirseacht air. Is é cuspóir an scrúdaithe seo tacú le muinín an phobail as RTÉ a atógáil.

Ina theannta sin, tá cumhachtaí á bhfeidhmiú agam faoi Alt 109(7)(a) den Acht Craolacháin chun cuntasóir fóiréinseach a cheapadh a dhíreoidh sa chéad ásc ar na cuntais bhabhtála agus ar aon chuntais eile lasmuigh den chlár comhardaithe a d'fhéadfaí a aithint. Ceapadh an cuntasóir fóiréinseach inné agus cuirfear tús leis an obair gan mhoill. Mar a leagadh amach i mo ráiteas tar éis chruinniú an Rialtais ar an 4 Iúil, táim ag súil leis na tuarascálacha deiridh a fháil laistigh de shé mhí ó thús an scrúdaithe agus tuarascálacha eatramhacha a fháil de réir mar is gá.

De réir mar a théann na hathbhreithnithe ar aghaidh, d'fhéadfadh go spreagfar torthaí, faoi mo rogha féin, raon feidhme an scrúdaithe a leathnú, a d'fhéadfadh tionchar a bheith aige ar amscálaí, lena n-áirítear na torthaí sin a eascraíonn as tuarascálacha Grant Thornton ina dhiaidh sin, obair Choiste na gCuntas Poiblí agus an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais um Thurasóireacht, Chultúr, na hEalaíona, Spórt agus na Meáin, agus ceisteanna a eascraíonn óna bplé.

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Tá ról craolacháin sheirbhísí pobail lárnach ag RTÉ agus tá muinín an phobail bunúsach ansin. Glacaim leis go bhfuil foireann bhainistíochta nua le teacht i bhfeidhm agus cabhróidh na fiosrúcháin sin atá luaite ag an Aire. Maidir leis na fiosrúcháin, ar an gcéad dul síos, ní fheadar an mbeidh siad in ann torthaí a thabhairt tapa go leor agus tuairisc a thabhairt tapa go leor. Pé tréimhse ama a bheidh i gceist, beidh bearna ama ann agus líonfar an bhearna sin, is baolach, le scamall agus comharthaí ceiste. An mbeidh siad riamh ábalta teacht tapa go leor agus an féidir an próiseas sin a bhrostú?

Anuas air sin, nó b’fhéidir chun cabhrú é a bhrostú ar aghaidh, an mbeadh aon tuairiscí a bhí déanta go hinmheánach ag RTÉ cheana féin, mar risk analysis a bheadh déanta ag an mbainistíocht, mar shampla, ar fáil don fhiosrúchán? Chabhródh sé dá bhfoilseofaí a leithéid. Braithim go mba chóir go mbeadh sé sin ar fáil mar léireodh sé ar shiúil RTÉ isteach ansin lena shúile oscailte, agus cén fiosrúchán a bhí déanta acu féin cheana féin.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Sílim go bhfuil trí cheist ansin. San am atá agam, déanfaidh mé iarracht iad a fhreagairt. Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir ach creidim gur thóg ard-stiúrthóir nua RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, roinnt céimeanna tábhachtacha chun tosaigh. Ina measc seo tá na gníomhartha seo a leanas: ar an gcéad lá, rinne sé an bord feidhmiúcháin a lánscor; agus d’fhógair sé grúpa comhairliúcháin foirne agus suirbhé fostaithe agus go bhfuil athbhreithniú á phleanáil aige ar róil agus gráid, pá agus comhionannas inscne agus tá clár leasaithe á chur i bhfeidhm aige. Gheall sé freisin a chomhoibriú iomlán leis an scrúdú seachtrach agus leis an gcuntasóir fóiréinseach atá á chur ar bun agam. Bhí an-áthas orm a chloisteáil i ráiteas an ard-stiúrthóra nua go bhfuil i gceist aige casadh le Nuacht TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta agus Nuacht RTÉ gan mhoill. Feicim go leor athruithe agus is tús maith é sin.

Ceapadh an cuntasóir fóiréinseach Mazars cheana féin agus tá siad ag bualadh le hoifigigh mo Roinne inniu. Tá an dá choiste saineolaithe i bhfeidhm le haghaidh an athbhreithnithe agus táim ag súil go mbeidh na seirbhísí comhairleacha gairmiúla i bhfeidhm chun tacú leis seo go luath i mí Lúnasa. Táim ag súil leis an tuarascáil dheiridh ó na seanchoistí comhairleacha laistigh de shé mhí ach beidh tuarascálacha eatramhacha ann freisin. Tá rudaí ag bogadh go tapa ach tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanfar iad i gceart agus go gcuirfí réitigh fadtéarmacha i bhfeidhm.

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan

Ag an am céanna leis na fiosrúcháin faoi chúrsaí airgeadais, an mbeidh fiosrúchán ann mar gheall ar chomhionannas sa tslí ina bhfeidhmíonn an eagraíocht? An leathnófaí é sin amach go dtí Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4 agus go leor eile? Mar shampla, tá foireann an-bheag ag Raidió na Gaeltachta ag cur clár i láthair agus tá foireann i bhfad níos mó ag RTÉ Radio 1 chun clár comhchosúil a chur ar fáil. Tá sé soiléir nach bhfuil an t-ualach céanna ar gach aon duine. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh comhionannas ann laistigh den eagraíocht.

Chomh maith leis sin, gach seachtain ar fud na tíre, bíonn ceadúnais le n-athnuachan ag daoine. Beidh siad ag féachaint ar RTÉ agus ar an mbille sin maidir leis an athnuachan. Cad a déarfaidh RTÉ leo? Conas a mheallfadh an tAire iad chun athnuachan a dhéanamh ar an gceadúnas?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Mar a dúirt mé cheana, bhí an-áthas orm a chloisteáil i ráiteas an ard-stiúrthóra nua go bhfuil i gceist aige casadh le Nuacht TG4, le Raidió na Gaeltachta agus le Nuacht RTÉ. Sin tús an-mhaith. Leagtar amach go soiléir i gcónaí an tairbhe a eascraíonn ón táille cheadúnais teilifíse a íoc. Cé go dtuigim an fhearg atá ar dhaoine, is é an seasamh atá agamsa ná go mba chóir do dhaoine an táille a íoc. Dliteanas reachtúil é an ceadúnas teilifíse agus tá sé ríthábhachtach chun an tseirbhís craolacháin phoiblí a chosaint mar thairbhe phoiblí atá ar leas an phobail i gcoitinne. Tugaim faoi deara go bhfuil ráite ag an ard-stiúrthóir inniu go spreagfaidh sé daoine leis an táille cheadúnais a íoc ar mhaithe le seirbhís craolacháin phoiblí a chosaint.

Question No. 61 taken with Written Answers.

Tourism Industry

Matt Carthy

Question:

62. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements she has had with her Cabinet colleagues regarding tourism in County Monaghan. [34731/23]

Deputy Matt Carthy

There was a second part to my question that did not make it onto the Question Paper, which was specifically about the Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross, which is and has been a crucial hub for tourism activity and generation. I would like the Minister also to reference that in her remarks.

Deputy Catherine Martin

I believe that part may have been disallowed but I will certainly come back to it. The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and to communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. Tourism is woven into the fabric of our Irish cultural and social life. As a proud Monaghan woman and a proud Carrickmacross woman born and bred, transplanted to Dublin, I am very conscious of the importance of the tourism sector, particularly throughout regions and I have and will continue to engage and advocate with my colleagues in government on tourism issues and on behalf of the tourism sector.

My Department's role in respect of tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. Implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland primarily. There is continued valuable engagement between Fáilte Ireland, Monaghan County Council and other State bodies with the aim of ensuring that Monaghan’s tourism offering continues to develop. It is part of Ireland’s Ancient East, which was launched in 2015 as a mechanism to unify the region as an internationally marketable tourism destination. The Ireland’s Ancient East regional tourism development strategy 2023-27 is a roadmap for the tourism industry and all its stakeholders in the region to navigate the current challenges and steer a course towards recovery and future success. The plan sets out a strategic approach to unlocking the commercial potential of Ireland’s Ancient East. To activate the regional strategy, Fáilte Ireland has established the Monaghan destination experience development plan, which was developed through a consultative process involving tourism industry representatives, members of the local community and Monaghan County Council. Indeed, I was delighted to launch the that plan in June 2022 along with my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, in the lovely location of Castle Leslie.

County Monaghan, in my opinion, is Ireland’s best-kept secret. I may have a little bit of bias, like the Deputy. It is home to Lough Muckno, a world-class centre for angling and wakeboarding; Rossmore Forest Park; Carrickmacross Lace; Clones Lace; historic houses; and the drumlin-dotted landscape which inspired the poems of Patrick Kavanagh, who grew up up the road from me. Hopefully it will be the home of Sam Maguire if all things move in the right direction on Saturday. I am sure I will see Deputy Carthy there. These are just some of the reasons to come to Monaghan. The work ongoing by Fáilte Ireland and its local partners can only strengthen the tourism sector within the county and continue to attract visitors to this special place.

I am also pleased that my Department and its agencies are so supportive of cultural activity in Monaghan. This includes the support of the Arts Council and my Department for the operation of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, which plays such an important role in the cultural life of the island. In addition, last April my Department supported Féile Oriel, a three-day festival of traditional Irish music in Monaghan town. Under my Department’s small-scale local festivals funding scheme last year, there was support for the Muckno Mania Festival. I hope to announce the successful applicants under this year’s scheme shortly and anticipate that there will be further support for festivals in Monaghan in 2023.

Deputy Matt Carthy

I agree with the Minister entirely that County Monaghan has a huge amount to offer tourists. One of the things we cannot offer them on many occasions is a place to stay, because the most renowned residence for tourists, a place that was used by Jack Charlton and the Italia 90 team and is one of the most esteemed hotels in the region, is shut down.

The Minister is right. The question related to that was disallowed because it says that she has no official responsibility for the matter. I do not accept that. The Minister has responsibility for tourism. She is a member of the Cabinet. A Government scheme, the immigrant investor programme, facilitated the purchase of the hotel by people who essentially allowed it to stagnate. The scene at the hotel is tragic now. The grounds are overgrown. The doors are locked and the place is becoming more run down by the day. What are the Minister and the Government doing to undo the damage that was done by allowing this hotel to be sold to an entity that was not in a position to manage it effectively? What will they do to ensure that the Nuremore Hotel returns to be a fully functional commercial hotel without delay?

Deputy Catherine Martin

I am acutely aware of the important role the Nuremore Hotel and Country Club played as an economic driver and tourism amenity in Carrickmacross and surrounding areas throughout the years. The closure of this hotel is a huge loss to the area. While the tourism sector is rebounding strongly post Covid, I am also always concerned to hear of any such closures. The loss of jobs in that hotel and the wider downstream impacts on other businesses in the area are of huge concern. However, it is a commercial property for which orders winding up the company have been made by the High Court, and a liquidator has been appointed by the High Court to handle all matters in relation to the liquidation. While I hope to see the property back in operation as a going tourism business, it just would not be appropriate for me, my Department, or Fáilte Ireland to intervene in the matter. Deputy Carthy may wish that could happen, but I must be cognisant of what is appropriate for me in my role. It simply would not be appropriate for me to intervene.

Deputy Matt Carthy

If a hotel of this scale and esteem was opening, people would be hard-pressed to stay standing in the stampede of Government Ministers who would be running to cut the ribbon on it. The Government can intervene and take credit when facilities are opening, private or otherwise, but when there are problems that are caused by a Government scheme, all of a sudden we are told the Government cannot intervene.

This is a crucial economic project for the region that has been denied to the people of Carrickmacross, south Monaghan and the wider region. It is having profound implications for our ability to attract tourism. All of the very good initiatives that the Minister outlined will count for nought if we have no place for people to stay when they come to Carrickmacross. We had a top-class facility for conferences, concerts and engagements of all descriptions, and we had a place where people could stay in the most salubrious of locations with brilliant views and great access to golfing and the other amenities that south Monaghan has to offer. That has been taken away from the people of Carrickmacross and now there are major concerns about what the future of that hotel premises will look like. It is imperative that the Government takes an active, hands-on approach to this issue. I appeal to the Minister to take a hands-on approach to ensure that this hotel returns to being a fully functional top-class tourism and economic driver for our region.

Deputy Catherine Martin

I would love to see that happen. I really hope it does, because as a woman who grew up on the Dundalk Road in Carrickmacross, the Nuremore Hotel is so close to there, so I am aware of the value of this hotel to the community. I saw that a few weeks ago when I went home for the annual occasion on the Dundalk Road. Many of the people who return home used to go to that hotel on the first Sunday of every July, and it was closed. People were devastated to see it in disrepair. But it is a commercial property and orders to wind up the company have been made by the High Court and a liquidator has been appointed by the High Court to handle all the matters in relation to the liquidation. While I hope to see the property come back into operation as a going tourism business concern, unfortunately, it is just not appropriate for me, my Department or Fáilte Ireland to intervene.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

63. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén cur chuige atá idir í féin agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun cinntiú go mbeidh leas á bhaint as na 60 foirgnimh folamh atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34776/23]

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Fiafraím den Aire cén cur chuige atá idir i féin agus Údarás na Gaeltachta a chinntiú go mbeidh leas á bhaint as an 60 foirgneamh atá folamh faoi láthair ag Údarás na Gaeltachta?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Tuigtear dom ón Údarás go bhfuil an eagraíocht ag tabhairt faoi obair phleanála dá phunann maoine chun a chinntiú go mbeidh siad in ann teacht ar réitigh dá gcuid cliant-chomhlachtaí reatha agus nua chomh maith lena gcuid geallsealbhóirí eile mar is cuí. Tá tugtha le fios ag an údarás dom go bhfuil go leor oibre idir lámha ag an eagraíocht faoi láthair. San áireamh anseo, tá an eagraíocht ag tabhairt faoi staidéar ar an infreastruchtúr, foirgnimh agus talamh atá aici, chomh maith le cúrsaí fuinnimh agus carbóin. Tá i gceist ag an eagraíocht plean acmhainní agus maoinithe a chur i dtoll a chéile ansin chun an úsáid is fearr agus is féidir a bhaint amach ag úsáid na n-acmhainní seo.

Mar a thuigim é, sa chás go bhfuil measúnú déanta ar ollchostas caipitil na h-oibre, ní mór gach togra a mheas faoi phróiseas measúnaithe inmheánacha na heagraíochta mar chéad chéim, sula dtiocfaidh an togra faoi bhráid bhord an údaráis le aon chaiteachas caipitil a cheadú bunaithe ar chás gnó atá curtha le chéile chuige sin. Mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar an bpunann maoine, tá athbhreithniú inmheánach déanta ar na próisis chun tograí a mheas chomh maith.

Tuigim go bhfuil an obair seo ar bun ar mhaithe le caighdeán an phunainne mhaoine trí chéile a fheabhsú ar bhonn inbhuanaithe agus atá ag teacht le mórspriocanna straitéiseacha Údarás na Gaeltachta i leith na teanga, na fostaíochta, na forbartha réigiúnaí agus riachtanas phobail éagsúla na Gaeltachta.

Sula gcríochnóidh mé, ba chóir dom a lua go bhfuil ardú suntasach 60% tagtha ar bhunmhaoiniú d’Údarás na Gaeltachta ó thosaigh téarma an Rialtais seo in 2020. Tacaíonn an maoiniú méadaithe seo le cuspóir foriomlán Údarás na Gaeltachta a chinntiú gurb í an Ghaeilge príomhtheanga phobail na Gaeltachta agus go mbeidh sí ann do na glúine atá le teacht. Léiríonn an méadú seo ar an maoiniú go bhfuil an Rialtais seo tiomanta i leith na Gaeilge, agus go leanfar ar aghaidh ag infheistiú, ag forbairt agus ag coinneáil na Gaeltachta slán don todhchaí. Aithnítear chomh maith an raon forleathan tionscnamh atá ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ó thaobh forbairt fiontraíochta agus chruthú post de, ach freisin, trí thacú le tionscnaimh straitéiseacha teanga, cultúrtha agus pobail.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire agus le Teachta Connolly freisin a chuir an cheist seo ar an gcéad dul síos agus a fuair liosta de na foirgneamh fholmha. Is oifigí a bhí i roinnt acu ach bhí roinnt mhonarchana an-mhór ann freisin. Bhí sé cinn de mhonarchana ann breis is 1,000 m cearnógach agus is monarchana suntasacha a bhí ann. Tá roinnt acu siúd folamh ó 2001 agus tá roinnt eile cothrom le dáta. tuigim go mbíonn athrú ag teacht idir chomhlachtaí agus cliaint ag fanacht ach tá an deis ann anois a chinntiú go bhfuil na heastáit tionsclaíochta seo lán go doras. Is léir dom an obair atá á déanamh ag an údarás go bhfuil éacht á dhéanamh acu ag tarraingt comhlachtaí isteach sna ceantair seo ach níor tugadh aon airgead breise caipitil dó anuraidh. Ní féidir díriú isteach ar an obair seo mura bhfuil airgead ag teacht ón gcóras Stáit chun cuidiú leo san athchúrsáil agus an athfheidhmiú atá i gceist.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Tá formhór de na foirgnimh seo folamh ón tréimhse idir 2018 go dtí 2023. Tá eisceachtaí ann freisin. Tá foirgnimh ann atá folamh le hos cionn deich mbliana. Ní aon rud neamhghnách é seo mbeadh foirgnimh fholmha ag áisíneacht forbartha acmhainní ar nós Údarás na Gaeltachta le punann maoine comórtas atá ag an údarás. Bíonn comhlachtaí ag teacht agus ag imeacht i gcaitheamh an ama agus go minic bíonn uasghrádú le déanamh ar fhoirgnimh sular féidir iad a chur ar an margadh arís le ligean ar cíos. Ach an oiread is le gach eagraíocht Stáit, bíonn ar an údarás oibriú taobh istigh den bhuiséad a thugtar don eagraíocht agus a chuid infheistíochtaí sa phunann maoine atá ag an eagraíocht a bhainistiú sa chomhthéacs sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá an maoiniú ag éirí agus fiú amháin leis an maoiniú caipitil is €14.454 milliún a fuair an t-údarás in 2022 agus do 2023 chomh maith. Is méadú 60% é sin ar an allúntas a bhí ar fáil don eagraíocht in 2019 sular ceapadh mise mar Aire

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Mar a dúirt mé, ní raibh aon ardú anuraidh i mbuiséad caipitil an Údaráis na Gaeltachta. Ní raibh airgead breise aige an díriú isteach ar na monarchana folmha. Tuigim go mbíonn athrú ag tarlú. Mar shampla, tá monarcha 2,095 m cearnógacha folamh in eastát an Bhuna Bhig le naoi mbliana anuas. tá ceann eile in eastát Bhun an Churraigh le hocht mbliana anuas agus tá breis is1,639 m cearnógacha ann ach is é an ceann is measa ná an t-eastát i gCasla, áit a bhfuil monarcha atá folamh le 22 bliain. Dar ndóigh caithfidh athnuachan agus infheistiú arís a dhéanamh chun é a bhreith suas cothrom le dáta, agus gach rud eile, agus ní tharlóidh sé sin gan airgead breise an cuidiú leis an údarás san obair atá á déanamh aige agus is léir don domhan leis na Gteic-anna agus na comhlachtaí nua eile atá a mhealladh isteach san áit ag an údarás.

Más féidir airgead breise caipitil a bheith ann déanfaidh an t-údarás an obair ba chóir dó a bheith á déanamh aige agus meallfaidh sé fostaíocht isteach sa cheantar.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Táthar ag féachaint ar na féidearthachtaí forbartha do chuid de na foirgnimh fholmha atá ag an údarás, ag cur san áireamh na hacmhainní atá ar fáil leis sin a dhéanamh agus an leas gur féidir a bhaint as na foirgnimh. Nuair atá aon chinneadh á dhéanamh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i dtaobh a chuid maoinithe, bítear airdeallach i gcónaí ar an dualgas maidir leis an leas is fearr a bhaint as an acmhainn airgeadais atá ar fáil ón Státchiste.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

Is buntáiste faoi leith é foirgnimh agus talamh a bheith ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ach is scannal amach is amach é go bhfuil cuid mhaith acu folamh, ag dul siar na blianta go 2001. D'ardaigh mise an cheist seo go mion minic. Tá mé thar a bheith sásta go bhfuil athbhreithniú i gceist ach an rud ata ag teastáil uaim ná spriocdháta ó thaobh na measúnaithe sin ata faoi chaibidil aige. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, teastaíonn dearbhú maidir le cúrsaí airgid chun a chinntiú go bhfuiltear in úsáid cuí a bhaint as na foirgnimh. Caithfimid scrúdú an bhfuil spás ar na suíomhanna chun iad a úsáid do chúrsaí tithíochta.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Tá ráite ag an údarás go bhfuil sé ag tabhairt faoi obair chun a chinntiú go mbeidh sé in ann teacht ar réitigh dá gcuid cliantchomhlachtaí reatha agus nua, chomh maith lena gcuid geallsealbhóirí eile, mar is cuí. Tá mé ag fanacht go dtí go mbeidh an cinneadh déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i dtaobh a chuid maoinithe. Beidh mé ag féachaint ar cad a bheimid in ann a dhéanamh ar acmhainn áirithe atá ar fáil ón Státchiste ansin.

Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga

Catherine Connolly

Question:

64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 29 ar an 18 Bealtaine 2023, soiléiriú a thabhairt ar stádas an fheachtais earcaíochta maidir le Coimisinéir Teanga nua a cheapadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34666/23]

Deputy Catherine Connolly

Tagraím don Choimisinéir Teanga. Níl aon Choimisinéir Teanga againn. An féidir soiléiriú a thabhairt dúinn cén uair a bheidh Coimisinéir Teanga ann?

Deputy Catherine Martin

D'fhógair an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí post an Choimisinéara Teanga ar an 19 Bealtaine 2023 le spriocdháta den 8 Meitheamh chun iarratais a dhéanamh. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an próiseas sin beagnach críochnaithe anois. Agus céimeanna an phróisis earcaíochta leanta go cuí, cuirfear moladh maidir leis an té atá le ceapadh faoi bhráid an Rialtais ar dtús agus ansin cuirfear faoi bhráid Uachtaráin na hÉireann é. Meastar go dtógfaidh an próiseas seo uile thart ar trí mhí ó thús go deireadh. Mar a luadh cheana, ar mhaithe le leanúnachas a chinntiú i bhfeidhmiú chúraimí Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, agus tar éis comhairle dlí a fháil ar an ábhar, tá feidhmeanna an Choimisinéara Teanga á dtarmligean chuig stiúrthóir na hoifige, faoi mar a cheadaítear faoi mhír 9 den Dara Sceideal d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tá na feidhmeanna sin á dtarmligean chuige ón 12 Feabhra 2023 go dtí go gceapfar Coimisinéir Teanga nua.

Is comórtas é seo do phost thar a bheith tábhachtach, ach go háirithe sna blianta amach romhainn agus forálacha an Achta leasaithe ag teacht i bhfeidhm. Beidh dualgais sa bhreis ar Oifig an Choimisinéara ó thaobh monatóireachta de agus maidir le comhairle, treoir agus cuidiú a thabhairt do na comhlachtaí poiblí agus don phobal i gcoitinne. Ni rabhthas ag súil le heirí as iarsealbhóra an róil, ach bhí ar mo Roinn próiseas foirmiúil a thosú chun faomhadh a fháil ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Seachadta ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus Athchóirithe sular aontaíodh an próiseas don chomórtas agus d'ábhair ghaolmhara.

Agus muid ag caint ar an ábhar seo, is fiú an deis a thapú ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar 20 bliain d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, faoina rinneadh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a bhunú. Cé go raibh aitheantas tugtha don Ghaeilge roimhe sin i mBunreacht na hÉireann mar chéad theanga oifigiúil an Stáit, le síniú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ar an 14 Iúil 2003 tugadh aitheantas agus cosaint reachtúil den chéad uair do chearta shaoránaigh na hÉireann an Ghaeilge a úsáid ina ngnó laethúil leis an Stát. Táthar ag cur tuilleadh leis na cearta sin anois chomh maith le feidhmiú céimiúil Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

Tá ceist simplí agam. Cén uair a bheidh Coimisinéir Teanga nua ceaptha ag an Rialtas? Sin cheist thar a bheith simplí. Tuigim an stair agus chomh tábhachtach is atá ról an choimisinéara. Tháinig sé os comhair Choiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge go mion minic agus rinne sé agus a fhoireann obair na gcapall go leanúnach. Arís, cén uair a bheidh coimisinéir nua ceaptha ag an Rialtas?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Tá ceist simplí agam. Cén uair a bheidh Coimisinéir Teanga nua ceaptha ag an Rialtas? Sin cheist thar a bheith simplí. Tuigim an stair agus chomh tábhachtach is atá ról an choimisinéara. Tháinig sé os comhair Choiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge go mion minic agus rinne sé agus a fhoireann obair na gcapall go leanúnach. Arís, cén uair a bheidh coimisinéir nua ceaptha ag an Rialtas?

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Luaigh an tAire gur tosaíodh an próiseas chun duine nua a earcú sa phost ar an 19 Bealtaine. Fógraíodh ar an 17 Eanáir go raibh an Coimisinéir Teanga ag bogadh ón ról a bhí aige chuig an ról eile, an ról tábhachtach atá aige i gCoimisiún na Meán. Cén fáth gur thóg sé ceithre mhí sular tosaíodh an próiseas earcaíochta? Bhí a fhios ag an Aire, fiú sular fógraíodh é, go raibh sé ag bogadh agus go mbeadh gá leis an bhfolúntas a líonadh. Tá ceithre mhí caillte agus fós níl aon dáta againn do Choimisinéir Teanga nua.

Deputy Catherine Martin

Bíonn céimeanna faoi leith le tógáil i gcónaí i dtaca le próiseas earcaíochta. Bhí curtha in iúl go sonrach cheana féin go dtógfadh an próiseas thart ar trí mhí ó thús go deireadh ach tá sé tugtha le fios ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí go raibh na hagallaimh deiridh le tarlú ar an 12 Iúil agus go mbeadh na torthaí ar eolas faoin lá dár gcionn. Is dea-scéal é gan amhras. Mar a dúirt mé, cuirfear moladh maidir leis an té ata le ceapadh faoi bhráid an Rialtais ar dtús agus ansin cuirfear faoi bhráid Uachtaráin na hÉireann é.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she believes systemic issues such as advertising, commercial pressures and the funding model have negatively impacted on the public service remit of RTÉ and contributed to the controversy that has now emerged in the broadcaster; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34687/23]

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

There has been much public fury about the secret payments in RTÉ, the pay cuts that were not pay cuts, secret accounts and so on. One of the things that has come across very strongly in all of this is how commercial activity and advertising have serious undermined and negatively impacted on the public service remit of RTÉ. Does the Minister agree that is a serious problem that needs to be addressed? What are her proposals in order to address it?

Deputy Catherine Martin

Go raibh maith agat. As a public body established by statute, the role of RTÉ is as set out in the relevant legislation, the Broadcasting Act, 2009. However, since its former establishment through the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, RTÉ has been dual funded through the television licence fee and through commercial income which has historically been pursued through the sale of advertising and sponsorship. This is recognised in legislation. Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the objects of RTÉ, first, to operate a national television and sound broadcasting service which has the character of a public service to the whole community on the island of Ireland. The tenth object states, "so far as it is reasonably practicable, to exploit such commercial opportunities as may arise in pursuit of" RTÉ's other objects. The recent controversy in RTÉ has definitely raised questions regarding the manner in which RTÉ's commercial operations and its public service operations interact. It is for that reason in launching the independent examination of RTÉ, I have specifically set out in the terms of reference that the review of governance and culture in RTÉ should assess any cultural characteristics or ways of doing business in RTÉ including the impact of RTÉ's commercial income activities on its public service remit that are likely to contribute to the findings of the Grant Thornton reviews.

My intention in establishing the examination is to assist in the process of rebuilding trust in RTÉ for the benefit of its audiences, the public, its staff and all of us who believe in the value of public service broadcasting.

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Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.