Sir, - By and large I agree with Charlie Bird's article, "Time to start the fight for RT╔ and public service broadcasting" (Opinion, July 10th), and his assessment of the situation at RT╔, though he's probably being a little too kind in saying S∅le de Valera is not the enemy. Given Fianna Fβil's history of ill feeling, and sometimes downright hostility to the national broadcaster, it's hard to believe that giving it an increase in the licence fee of £14.50 wasn't some form of payback.
How much of Ms De Valera's decision was based on objective information provided by the report on RT╔ and how much on subjective feelings of getting one's own back?
It was interesting to hear S∅le de Valera in interviews repeatedly making the point that this was a Government decision, perhaps so, but the point was made so often that the phrase "methinks the lady doth protest too much" had a certain ring of truth to it.
Let's face it, when you're the Minister responsible for Arts and Heritage, well, you're the Minister for Arts and Heritage.
However, that said, RT╔ does have its part to play in the fight for funds as Charlie Bird pointed out. Whether or not the board has been vocal enough in the past is something it must answer for itself, but there is certainly a lack of public evidence of tension between the Government and the broadcaster.
RT╔ also has its part to play in setting standards for public service broadcasting. Charlie Bird likens RT╔ to the family silver and I'm inclined to agree, though perhaps the silver has started to become tarnished of late in regard to standards of broadcasting.
The 75th anniversary of the foundation of RT╔ is a welcome reminder of all that is good about public broadcasting. It would be a great loss to this nation if it were to become just another commercial television and radio company. - Yours, etc.,
Keith Troughton, Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.