28 Jan 2015, 14:49
Accountability, transparency, funding and regional coverage were just some of the issues raised by members of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications today, when they engaged with Ms. Moya Doherty, Chair Designate of RTÉ and Dr. Pauric Travers, Chair Designate of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
28 January 2015
The presence of both Chairs Designate (in separate sessions) allowed the Committee to question Ms. Doherty and Dr. Travers in advance of their appointments to RTÉ and the BAI, respectively.
Following the meeting, Committee Chairman, John O’Mahony said: “We thank Ms. Doherty and Dr. Travers for their thorough summaries of their priorities for both RTÉ and the BAI. Today’s meeting allowed for a wide overview to be given of the direction both institutions plan to take under their new proposed Chairs.”
“During Ms. Doherty’s presentation, the issue of salaries in RTÉ was raised by Committee members, as was the overall cost base at the state broadcaster and recent issues with some aspects of current affairs programming, relating to the presidential election in 2011. Committee members also expressed concern over ensuring balance and fairness in regional coverage in order to ensure that all of Ireland is represented by the broadcaster, and not just Dublin.”
“Dr. Travers, as Chair Designate of the BAI, was questioned on the role of the BAI in ensuring value for money for the taxpayer as well as on the issue of media monopolies. The importance of ensuring appropriate levels of airtime for Irish music and language programming was also a key concern for Committee members and Dr. Travers acknowledged that the range of Irish talent in terms of music should be reflected on the national airwaves.”
Following on from today’s meeting, a transcript of the proceedings will be sent to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, to assist him in his decisions to confirm Ms. Doherty and Dr. Travers as Chair of RTÉ and the BAI respectively.
Ends
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Committee Membership
John O’Mahony (Chairman) (Fine Gael)
Deputies
Michael Colreavy (Sinn Féin); Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil); Dessie Ellis (Sinn Féin) ; Michael Fitzmaurice (Independent); Tom Fleming (Independent); Brendan Griffin (Fine Gael); Noel Harrington (Fine Gael); Seán Kenny (Labour); Eamonn Maloney (Labour); Michael McCarthy (Labour); Helen McEntee (Fine Gael); Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil); Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael); Brian Walsh (Fine Gael)
Senators
Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Sean D. Barrett Independent; Eamonn Coghlan (Fine Gael); Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fáil); Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil); John Whelan (Labour); Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Sean D. Barrett (Independent); Eamonn Coghlan (Fine Gael); Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fáil); Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil); John Whelan (Labour)