RTE has recently undergone considerable reform and restructuring and will have shed 480 jobs by the end of this month. A further 100 jobs are expected to go and the station has promised new financial systems that will be transparent and accessible. As part of these reforms, RTE will split into three divisions, composed of news, radio and TV, with their own budgets and separate accountability.
Now that RTE's financial crisis has been removed by way of a €43 licence fee increase, the public and the Government will expect the station to deliver on its promise to expand and improve domestically-generated programmes and its public service content.
The price increase does not just benefit RTE. Some €7 of that fee, or an estimated €8 million, will fund the production of social, historical and public service programmes for all free-to-air broadcasters. That is to be welcomed. Community radio stations, as well as national channels, can fill a vital role in generating pride in our heritage and way of life and in supporting the arts.
In the current economic climate, the national broadcaster must regard itself as fortunate that the Coalition Government gave full weight to the recommendations of the Irish Forum on Broadcasting. It has received security of funding and freedom from political interference and influence through an index-linked fee system.
The director-general, Mr Bob Collins, has identified drama, documentaries, educational and children's programmes and news and current affairs as priority areas for development. Regional coverage will also be addressed.
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, announced that both the RTE Authority and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, which licenses independent radio and television, will have their regulatory functions absorbed by a new Broadcasting Authority.
A Public Service Broadcasting Charter, a Code of Fair Trading Practice and a new Audience Council are also to be established. Legislation will be required to give effect to these far-reaching decisions and it is expected to take about 18 months for a Broadcasting Bill to pass through the Dáil. That should allow time for RTE to get its house in order. For the national station has a considerable distance to go in meeting the demand of its audiences for stimulating and entertaining programmes.
The Government has taken a tough decision in the public interest. Our airwaves are saturated with foreign-made programmes. Some 80 per cent of the material broadcast here originates either in the UK or the US.
The need for home-grown public service broadcasting, as the Minister acknowledged, is both unquestionable and urgent.