Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004
186 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) for an application for further funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27477/04]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 34 on Thursday 21 October 2004. Regarding the correspondence in question, I understand that Screen Producers Ireland has written to Members enclosing a copy of the report it commissioned on TG4. Screen Producers Ireland is the association that represents independent producers. The letter from Screen Producers Ireland requests that the grant-in-aid to TG4 should be increased in 2005.
TG4 commissions the majority of its Irish language programming from the independent production sector. It is not surprising, therefore, that this sector is arguing for more public funds for TG4 as most of any additional funding would in turn be channelled to the independent production companies that Screen Producers Ireland represents. The funding of TG4 will be addressed, in the normal way, as part of the Estimates process.
