Sheehan calls on the people of the Midwest to fight RTÉ decision to close Lyric in Limerick
Limerick City North Labour Councillor Conor Sheehan has called on the people of the Midwest to come together to fight RTE’s decision to downgrade Lyric FM to Dublin and Cork and close RTE’s Limerick studio.
In advance of Fridays special council meeting, organised by Cllr Sheehan, the Labour Councillor said:
“I called a special meeting of the full Council because I am appalled at the contemptuous way RTE management have treated the people of Limerick.”
“I met with Lyric FM staff this week who are dumbstruck by this draconian proposal from management. This does not make financial sense and has implications for Limerick far beyond Lyric FM as the station work with many local production companies and schools who will be at a loss after Lyric is downgraded to Dublin and Cork.”
“I cannot understand how Dee Forbes did not take Professor Des Fitzgerald up on his offer to accommodate Lyric FM at UL as RTE already have studios at several third level institutes around the country.”
“This is an ideological decision that goes contrary to the definition of public service broadcasting and balanced regional development. If it goes ahead, Lyric will effectively be turned into a zombie radio station before it is eventually shut down completely.”
“At tomorrows Council meeting, I will be calling on all Councillors to come together as one Council against this proposal and for Minister Bruton to intervene personally to save Lyric as flogging the family silverware won’t solve RTE’s financial problems.”
“My colleague Jan O’Sullivan T.D will also be organizing a briefing for all Oireachtas members in the Midwest with representatives of Lyric FM and in the meantime, I would encourage everyone from the Midwest to come together and fight this.”