Sharp differences have emerged between Government departments and RTÉ over the future direction and control of the Irish language TV station, TG4.
The station, which is now in its sixth year, was due to become a separate entity from RTÉ this year, but so far there has been little agreement on what structure should be put in place.
RTÉ management is strongly resisting suggestions that the station become part of Mr Eamon O'Cuiv's Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
At meetings over recent months RTÉ has strongly resisted the idea of the station coming under the aegis of this department.
According to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, RTÉ has told officials from the Department of Communications that it does not support such an idea.
In the documents senior RTÉ management figures say: "The responsibility for TG4 should remain with the Department responsible for broadcasting policy rather than being transferred to the Department with responsibility for Irish language affairs."
The issue of which department should ultimately be responsible for the station is believed to have arisen in recent weeks at cabinet level; however, a spokeswoman for Mr O'Cuiv refused to comment on whether he would favour the station becoming part of his Gaeltacht brief.
The other possible model would be for TG4 to cut its links with RTÉ, but remain under the control and supervision of the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern.
According to minutes of a meeting between RTÉ and the officials from the Department of Communications late last year, TG4 was described as being "no more certain of its institutional or financial future then when it started".
At the Forum on Broadcasting, held last year, RTÉ made it clear that it did not favour the station moving away from the direction of the RTÉ Authority.
"With so much uncertainty in the broadcasting economy for the foreseeable future, a change to the existing relationship between RTÉ and TG4 is undesirable now and likely to disadvantage TG4," said its submission.
Other documents released to The Irish Times reveal that RTE provides €10 million worth of programming to TG4 each year, while the Exchequer (via the Department of Communications) provides €21 million in funds.
The documents, prepared by senior officials in the Department of Communications, make it clear that under any new structure TG4 would seek to improve its programming schedule, cutting down on repeat programmes in particular. If separately established it would need an extra €6 million of funding annually, the documents claim.
In the documents it is suggested that a Government memo be prepared for early January, but it is understood this has not happened because of the sharp differences over its direction. A TG4 spokesman said over the weekend the station wanted to become an independent statutory body as provided for in the Broadcasting Act, 2001.
The station has got almost three per cent of the national audience. While its Irish language programming is subsidised by the State, non-Irish programming is funded entirely from advertising revenue.
In the last two years the station's films have performed well in terms of ratings and its acquisitions department has secured several lucrative sporting and film rights ahead of its competitors.
