Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2018
67. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the review of orchestral provision at RTÉ which was due to report in February 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9888/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that there are existing legislative obligations on RTÉ in relation to the provision of music and that responsibility for RTÉ is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
However, as Minister with responsibility for culture, and of oversight of the National Concert Hall, I believe it is important that there is strong provision of orchestral music in Ireland.
In this regard, officials from my Department have met with officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to discuss the matter. They were informed that the RTÉ review is an internal review which is to make recommendations regarding the best configuration of the orchestras, but that RTÉ has acknowledged that the orchestras are integral to RTE's arts and cultural programming, and form a key part of RTÉ’s arts and culture strategy.
My Department will maintain close contact with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to this matter and both Departments will consider the outcome of the RTÉ review when that is complete. I understand that a final report will be delivered to RTÉ shortly.
