A chara, – In reply to Robert Gunning, TG4 has a mission (and a statutory and regulatory duty) to make its content accessible to the widest possible audience. Thousands of viewers to our TV output and to the TG4 Player, worldwide, are not yet fluent in Irish. For them, subtitles in English are best way to ensure this additional wider access. By choosing to write his letter to your newspaper in English, Mr Gunning clearly gets this point.
TG4 has also always provided subtitles in Irish for some of our output. This is a service to our core audience and also to those wishing to improve their Irish. In addition, subtitles are a vital access point to TG4 for those with hearing difficulties. These members of the audience have an entitlement to access our award-winning content. All public service TV broadcasters do this and it is a regulatory requirement.
Our subtitles are part of our public service and are resourced from our public funding. In the case of acquired foreign material, English subtitles are usually already created and come supplied with the series, as with Borgen.
Tá rún againn breis fotheideal fós i nGaeilge a sholáthar freisin. – Is mise,
PÁDHRAIC Ó CIARDHA
Leascheannasaí TG4,
Sráid Fhearchair,
Baile Átha Cliath 2.