20 Feb 2013, 14:31
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications met with representatives of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, who called for what they see as greater balance in how public funding for broadcasting nationally.
20 February 2013
The representatives pointed to a 40 percent decline in advertising revenue within the sector since 2008, which has led to increased pressures on delivering round-the-clock programming of a local flavour across the country.
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: \"Committee Members widely praised the commitment of the local radio sector to the communities they serve. We heard that the vibrant independent radio sector in Ireland is among the most successful in Europe. However, with revenues falling sharply since the recession, we acknowledge that the sector needs to be nurtured carefully to ensure the 34 independent radio stations, who employ 1,500 people nationally, can be sustained.
\"The Programme for Government envisages a household broadcasting charge for each home in the country to replace the existing TV licence fee. The independent broadcasting representatives made the case for their sector receiving a share of such a fund, which would acknowledge their contribution to local and community life in Ireland. Our Committee undertook to carefully consider the proposals presented to us today, which will inform our on-going consideration of state funding to public and independent broadcasters.\"
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Seán Kenny, Labour
Eamonn Moloney, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan