Only 0.7% of National Broadcaster's Television Output in Irish.
An Coimisinéar Teanga has published an Annual Report which finds that RTÉ is not fulfilling its statutory obligations under the Broadcasting Act 2009 by failing to provide a comprehensive range of television programming in Irish.
President of Conradh na Gaeilge Dr. Niall Comer said;
“RTÉ are renowned for the television content they produce and broadcast. It is scandalous how few Irish language programmes are being produced, and how narrow the range of programming available in Irish is.In 2017, over RTÉ’s two television channels, over 18,657 hours of content were broadcasted. Only 123 hours, or 0.7% of this content was in Irish. There is need for immediate increase in the range of Irish language programming being provided.”
Conradh na Gaeilge recommend the following measures be taken with a matter of urgency:
- A Plan for the Provision of Irish Language Programming to be developed immediately
- To build on the previous developments such as optional Irish language commentary for sports events, which could be provided for all national rugbaí games, international soccer matches and all GAA programming on RTÉ
- A channel such as RTÉ Jr to be provided in Irish, which would be an excellent support for parents who are raising children with Irish, and an additional resources in supporting Irish in the education system.
Conradh na Gaeilge will meet with Director General of RTÉ Dee Forbes next week. We will commend their provision of the Irish language to date - on Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ 2FM and their multimedia platforms, for example, but we will focus primarily on the questions raised in the Language Commissioners’ Annual Report and the above recommendations.
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge Julian de Spáinn said;
”Conradh na Gaeilge would like to commend An Coimisinéar Teanga for the work done this year. There is no doubt but that they are doing important work to protect the rights of the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities.The Commissioner’s Annual Report shows the need for an Oifficial Languages Act to be put before An t-Oireachtas, and Conradh na Gaeilge are asking Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta agus Príomh-Aoire an Rialtais to see that this happens without delay. At the moment, of 650 public companies, only 132 language schemes are operating (and many of them are in currently decline). It is time to fix the inadequate language schemes system and to provide the standard laid out of the Bill.”
