Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
560. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if any consideration has been given to the funding of RTÉ and more generally of public service broadcasting, post-2027 when the current three year RTÉ funding package concludes; if a process to consider this matter is being put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45869/26]
View answerAt the EU level, Article 5 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) sets out an overarching framework governing the funding procedures that must in place in respect of public service media. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, published on 27 May 2026, gives effect to Article 5 of EMFA and to recommendations made by the Future of Media Commission.
The Bill completed Dáil Second Stage on 10 June 2026, and has now been referred to the Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for Committee Stage.
The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will, inter alia, enhance accountability, transparency and value-for-money in our public service media providers by:
• improving the legislative underpinning for the corporate governance of RTÉ and TG4, including by assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ; and
• reforming the system by which Coimisiún na Meán assesses the performance of, and recommends funding for, RTÉ and TG4.
The Bill, when enacted, will replace the current 5-yearly review of the adequacy of public funding with a 3-yearly appraisal of funding and performance in which Coimisiún na Meán will identify the performance commitments and outputs and associated financial inputs, performance indicators and metrics which shall apply to RTÉ and TG4 for a 3-year period. The 3-yearly appraisal will be carried out in accordance with a methodology which shall be adopted by Coimisiún an Meán following a public consultation. The 3-yearly appraisal will also replace the annual statement of performance commitments prepared by RTÉ and TG4 under section 102 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as Coimisiún na Meán, rather than the providers, will ultimately be setting performance commitments.
Following on from the 3-year appraisal, RTÉ and TG4 will each develop and publish 3-year Statements of Strategy. Accordingly, subject to the Bill completing the legislative process in a timely fashion, the next funding recommendations to be submitted by Coimisiún na Meán will be in respect of each of the years 2028 – 2030, be carried out under the provisions set out in the Bill and will be accompanied by performance commitments and indicators to apply to RTÉ and TG4. In accordance with the Bill, the Government will consider the funding recommendations of Coimisiún an Meán in respect of 2028 - 2030 and publish a response.
The reformed system for assessing the funding and performance of public service media set out in the Bill is intended to ensure appropriate levels of public funding are provided to RTÉ and TG4 to allow them to fulfil their public service remit in an effective and efficient manner over the long-term. 560.
