Petitions Committee to examine future of RTÉ orchestras

The meeting at 1:30 p.m. in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

The meeting comes in response to a public petition seeking to ensure the proper maintenance of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra following speculation about their future.

In July, the Government accepted in principle the recommendations of an independent review which proposed that the Symphony Orchestra could become part of the National Concert Hall, while RTÉ would retain ownership of the Concert Orchestra.

“The petitioner’s cause for concern remains the possibility that overall orchestral provision in the State may suffer, when both orchestras are national assets worth protecting and developing,” said Committee Chairman Séan Sherlock TD. “The Committee discussions with RTÉ officials should shed light on how the proposed reform plans might play out in practice.”