Sir, - The suggestion from the chairman of TV3, James Morris (May 15th) that an increase in the television licence fee would "threaten the existence of TV3" is wholly without foundation and amounts to scaremongering. The purpose of RTE's application for a licence fee increase (the first in its own services since 1986) is to enable it to present to the Irish audience the breadth and depth of quality programming on radio and television which a distinctively Irish service requires and which the audience is entitled to expect. is beyond reason.
RTE has a very clear view of its public purpose and of how its public funding can give effect to that. I have identified five key purposes for which licence revenue is intended. Licence revenue will be used for:
making, commissioning and co-producing programmes for radio and television;
acquiring rights to events involving Irish individuals or teams;
acquiring rights to events which have a particular relevance for an Irish audience;
discharging RTE's statutory obligations (e.g. in respect of TG4 or universal availability);
discharging our cultural obligations in respect of music, performing groups, and supporting the arts. I do not see how any of these purposes can be considered anti-competitive - unless one has a very particular view of competition or of the marketplace. The existence of choice for Irish listeners and viewers is a good thing, but it would be wrong for the programme service of the national public service broadcaster to be determined by the interests of the shareholders of a commercial broadcaster. This seems to be what Mr Morris wishes to suggest: it is only what "the market" does not supply that RTE should be able to offer. RTE has never asked for public funding other than for the funding of the type of programming which we believe is the essence of public service in a modern democracy. RTE has no fear of accountability. We welcome the new requirements under the Broadcasting Act 2001 and are satisfied that we can demonstrate how the licence fee is used to fund public service radio and television. I am confident that we can demonstrate that a licence fee of 33p per day represents good value for the entire range of service we offer. We are happy to operate within a system where we make formal commitments to the public and have these monitored by an independent agency.
RT believes that the licence fee revenue will advance the range and quality of programmes available to the Irish audience, ensure a distinctive Irish voice in a broadcasting environment which is becoming increasingly global and allow space for commercial broadcasters to flourish. That is the view which the Irish public also appears to support. At a series of public meetings held by RTE throughout the country there has been extensive consultation on the nature and future of Irish broadcasting and there has been a widespread expression of support for the character and quality of service which RTE wishes to offer. A realistic level of public funding, properly spent and transparently accounted for, will help to secure that. - Yours, etc.,
Bob Collins, Director-General, RTE, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.