Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2024
34. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for new legislation in the broadcasting arena drawing on the various studies into the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24423/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 7th May last, the Government agreed in principle to the 116 recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Committees on Governance and Culture and on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters in RTÉ. The Review of Governance and Culture includes six recommendations that require amendments to the legislative basis for the governance of RTÉ contained in Part 7 of the Broadcasting and Other Media Regulation Acts 2009 & 2022. To give effect to the recommendations, I intend to bring forward legislative proposals to give effect to the recommendations, including to:
• assign the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) as the auditor of RTÉ and to ensure that the Director General is accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts for RTÉ’s financial statements and the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of expenditure by RTÉ;
• strengthen the legislative provisions regarding the operation of the Board of RTÉ, including clarifying the duties of the Board and the role of Board committees; and
• improve the accountability of the Director General, including to make the Director General expressly accountable to the Board of RTÉ.
The Government is committed to make a decision on the future funding model for public service media and public service content prior to the Dáil Summer Recess. Legislation to give effect to the funding model and the associated regulatory framework recommended by the Future of Media Commission will be required to implement any funding decision by Government. In line with the the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission, this legislation would include multi-annual funding levels, assessed and set by the independent regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, a stronger role for the regulator in setting and reviewing the performance targets of public service broadcasters and reduced scope for Government to disregard funding recommendations.
My objective is to bring forward the General Scheme of a Bill in the Autumn of this year to give effect to the legislative recommendations of the Review of Governance and Culture and, following a Government decision this Summer, to the new funding funding model for public service media and public service content. I will be consulting with colleagues on the proposed legislation, and in particular with the the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the C&AG with regard to the proposal to assign the C&AG as auditor of RTÉ.
