Written Answers Nos. 360-370
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.
366. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is concerned with the lack of accounting and auditing expertise on the RTÉ Board; if she will list the current board members with accounting and auditing expertise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10723/24]
View answer370. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding the appointment of a new Chair for RTÉ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10727/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 370 together.
As I stated last week, my priority focus has been on proceeding with the appointment by Government of a new Chairperson and additional members to the board of RTÉ.
At its meeting today, Government approved the appointment of Mr. Terence O'Rourke as Chairperson. Mr. O'Rourke has gained significant experience at both executive and non-executive levels, including serving on the Boards of public bodies. Mr. O'Rourke has previously served as Managing Partner of KPMG Ireland and has extensive experience in finance, accounting and audit.
Government has also approved the appointment of Ms. Terri Moloney, a Human Resources professional, and Dr. Neasa Hardiman, an award winning executive producer, director and writer, as members of the Board.
All three bring with them a range of experiences and attributes which will enable the Board to continue its important work of delivering further reform at RTÉ, whilst also driving new strategies to bring the organisation forward and continue to deliver high quality public service content for Irish audiences.
There remain two further vacancies on the Board of RTÉ, one of which is to be filled following a staff election in RTÉ, and it is my intention that the other appointment will bring further accounting or financial expertise to the Board.
I look forward to meeting the new Chair in the coming days and to engaging with the other new members as we continue the process of rebuilding trust in RTÉ.
369. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Chairman of RTÉ briefed her on the appointment of the new company secretary; if so, when the briefing took place; if she scrutinised the appointment process; if copies of correspondence in this regard will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10726/24]
View answerIn accordance with Section 90 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the appointment of staff is a matter for RTÉ as is assigning the duties which such staff members undertake. As such, my Department has no involvement in staff appointments, including approving or scrutinising the processes used to make such appointments.
On 21 December 2023, my Department was formally notified of the appointment of a new Group Secretary and I was advised by officials the following day.
