Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017
125. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of any payments made by his Department, its agencies or any bodies under his aegis to any broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016; the broadcaster to which the funds were provided; the reason for the payments; and if there are any reasons for payments to broadcasters in 2017. [14724/17]
View answerMy Department made payments to broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 as detailed in the table. Payments made to broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017.
|
Division/Unit |
Year |
Payee |
Amount |
Reason for Payment |
|
Irish Abroad Unit |
2014 |
RTÉ |
€50,000 |
This amount was paid to RTE in connection with broadcasting of the Ceiliúradh (Celebration) concert held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on 10th April 2014. The Ceiliúradh concert marked the occasion of President Higgins’ State Visit to Britain. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade co-funded the broadcast, along with RTÉ and Tourism Ireland, as an important celebration of the cultural links between Ireland and Britain and to ensure that it could be viewed by as many people worldwide as possible. |
|
Ireland, United Kingdom and Americas Division |
2014 |
RTÉ |
€11,000 |
A grant payment was made to RTÉ to support the production of five one-hour episodes of the “History Show” which were broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 in August 2014. These episodes looked at Irish involvement in the First World War, including reaction to, and participation in, the war by nationalist and unionist communities across the island of Ireland. The project also examined how the events of the First World War have been commemorated in Ireland both generally and also within nationalist and unionist traditions. The project fell within the Reconciliation Fund’s criteria of promoting reconciliation through education, dialogue and culture. |
|
Coordination and Compliance Unit |
2015 |
RTÉ |
€72.60 |
Purchase of “Ireland & The United Nations” video. |
|
Communications Unit |
2017 |
RTÉ |
€300 |
Attendance at RTE ‘Mojocon’ Mobile Journalism Conference (upcoming). |
