Minister must explain €20 million RTÉ funding cut – Kelly
Minister must explain €20 million RTÉ funding cut - Kelly - The Labour Party
- Government must resolve looming clash with RTÉ urgently.
Labour’s Alan Kelly TD, chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Media, has today called on the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to explain and urgently address the Government’s decision to cut RTÉ’s agreed public funding for 2027 by €20 million. Responding to a letter from RTÉ’s director general following Budget 2027, Deputy Kelly warned that Government risks a head-on collision with the broadcaster.
Deputy Kelly said:
“This is a very worrying development. Government agreed funding with RTÉ, yet has now cut €20 million at a point when the broadcaster has already made significant commitments. The Minister must explain why Government has changed course and what it expects RTÉ to sacrifice.
“RTÉ’s director general has made clear that the broadcaster did not anticipate this cut and that it will inevitably affect its ability to deliver its five-year strategy. Those consequences could reach viewers and listeners, RTÉ workers and independent producers who depend on commissioning decisions.
“A head-on collision between RTÉ and Government is now looming. The Minister must engage immediately, explain this decision publicly and honour the funding commitment. Government needs to resolve this urgently before audiences, workers and programme makers pay the price.”