Simon Harris wants RTÉ reports brought to Cabinet ‘quickly’

By Cillian Sherlock and Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

New Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has said he wants to bring “finality” to an ongoing controversy around Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.

Mr Harris, who is due to become taoiseach on Tuesday, said he was keeping an “open mind” on the future funding model for public-service broadcasting, but added that he did not want to see an increased licence fee.

He told reporters that he wanted overdue reports from the Government’s independent expert review panels into governance and culture at RTÉ to brought to Cabinet “quickly”.

Mr Harris said one of his first acts as taoiseach would be seeking an updated timeline for the reports into the cash-strapped broadcaster.

He said: “I think the constant kind of drama that has been going on in relation to RTÉ needs to end.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway, he said a decision on the future funding model for public-service broadcasting would be “settled” by the summer recess, but added that reforms should allow for other broadcasters to benefit.

He said: “I think there are two options – you can do direct Exchequer funding, or you can do a better collected TV licence system.

“Quite frankly, all of its paid by taxpayers, all of its paid by the people we represent in Dáil Éireann.

“So, I have an open mind in relation to that – I have heard people express views of concern in relation to direct Exchequer funding, but I certainly wouldn’t like to see a situation where the TV licence fee would increase, and I do think with better collection mechanisms, it is possible for that not to happen.”

Asked if local broadcasters or independent stations like Virgin Media could be given more public money following reforms, Mr Harris said: “I also do think in reforming public-service broadcasting, we should once and for all address the broader definition of public-service broadcasting and make sure that others can benefit.”

The Cabinet is awaiting the recommendations of two reports that were commissioned by Minister Catherine Martin at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Elsewhere in that departmental portfolio, Mr Harris admitted he speaks very little Irish but said he intends to “brush up” on the language.

He added that the Government needs to do more to promote Irish.