Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
360. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she stands over her comments at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media on 28 November 2023 that the suspension of TV licence advertising was not discussed with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10717/24]
View answer361. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify whether the suspension of TV licence advertising was discussed with her Department's officials at operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10718/24]
View answer362. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if notes, minutes or any other form of record were kept in respect of operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10719/24]
View answer363. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will furnish this Deputy with notes, minutes or any other form of records that were kept in respect of operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10720/24]
View answer364. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will furnish this Deputy with details of which officials from her Department attended operational forum meetings with RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10721/24]
View answer365. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has been in receipt of oral or written briefings, reports, summaries, notes, minutes or any form of records in respect of operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023 when these were received by the Minister; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10722/24]
View answer367. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how long the operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post have been taking place; if she will provide details of dates of each of these meetings for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10724/24]
View answer368. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will furnish this Deputy with dated copies of briefings to her by her officials in respect of operational forum meetings involving her Department's officials, RTÉ and An Post on 12 July, 16 August, 6 September, 11 October and 8 November 2023; if she received and read these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10725/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 367 and 368 together.
As I have stated in my response to a previous PQ on Thursday 22nd February, my officials meet regularly with An Post and RTÉ in relation to the TV licence related matters. A number of officials from within the Broadcasting and Media Division of the Department, as well as An Post and RTÉ attend these meetings as required. This is a long standing arrangement designed to share information between the three bodies.
The decision to temporarily cease advertising taken by RTÉ was conveyed to my officials via this forum, however, for complete clarity, this decision had already been made by RTÉ and my Department had no role in the decision making process.
Similarly, there was no formal written correspondence with RTÉ with regard to the matter, as given RTÉ’s statutory independence, neither I nor my Department have any role in content, editorial and scheduling decisions, including decisions related to the content, timing or frequency of TV licence ads. This information was subsequently relayed to me verbally.
As the RTÉ Director General stated at the Oireachtas Committee meeting on 14 February last, the decision to cease TV licence adverts was his and RTÉ’s. I understand that the view was that, in the early days after the crisis broke, it might not have been helpful and in fact it could have been counterproductive, to have advertising on local radio and other media on this matter.
Similarly, the subsequent decision to recommence the adverts, following a refresh of the content, on RTÉ’s own platforms was made by RTÉ. I understand that advertising on non-RTÉ platforms has now recommenced and I welcome that.
The TV licence plays an essential role in providing funding for vital public service content on RTÉ and other services supported by the Broadcasting Fund, and as such it remains vitally important that people continue to purchase a TV licence if liable to do so.
