RTÉ Audience Council Communique
Thursday, 13th November 2008
Present: Alison McCullagh, Northern Ireland (Chairperson); Des Sheridan, Community and Voluntary Pillar (Vice-Chairperson); Paul M. Kinsella, Leinster; Eilis Boland, Northern Ireland; Patrick O’Leary, Equality Authority; Ian Malcolm, RTÉ Authority; Ruth Gallagher, Dublin; Mary Gallagher McBride, Connacht/Ulster; Eddie Sheehy, City and County Managers’ Association; Pádraig McGinn, Connaught/Ulster; Valerie Keegan, IBEC; Sheena Walsh McMahon, Leinster; Stephanie O’Callaghan, Arts Council; Macdara Doyle, ICTU; Paul McDermott, Irish Sports Council; Beverly Hanly, RTÉ, Secretary to Audience Council
Regrets: Niall Madigan, IFA; Lucilita Bhreatnach, Foras na Gaeilge;
RTÉ: Tom Quinn, RTÉ Group Secretary; Adrian Moynes Managing Director Radio
This was the final meeting of the Council as its term of office expires in December 2008. The meeting, which was to have been held in Limerick, was taking in place in Dublin because of budgetary constraints.
Secretary's Report
The Secretary updated the Council on corporate activities since the meeting in September and reported on the feedback received from the executive to points raised at that meeting, including a very comprehensive response from Television regarding Irish language/culture programming. While acknowledging that some presenters etc do use some Irish throughout the year, members would still like to see more do so.
Good wishes from the BBCNI Audience Council had been received for this the final meeting.
RTÉ's Head of Public Affairs Policy had attended a meeting during the week of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution who are considering Referenda coverage and a copy of his presentation to the Committee was circulated. Members considered it to be very good. A request was made that consideration be given by RTÉ to providing a regular information slot on European issues (not just the Court, Parliament and Commission) which might also include feedback from Irish MEPs and perhaps an interview with the Irish Commissioner.
It was noted that, on first reading, it appeared that the JNLR results which were published today, particularly for RTÉ Radio 1, were very encouraging.
Subtitling
Isabel Charleton Manager Transmission Services TV was in attendance for this item.
She made a very comprehensive presentation covering all aspects of access services. With reference to the particular request made at the previous meeting that discussions on sub-titling as Gaeilge of programming be commenced within RTÉ and involving other interested parties, she pointed out that (i) RTÉ has never had a request for this from the user groups; (ii) that it would be very costly; (iii) that RTÉ does not have the technical facility to offer a choice of Irish or English subtitles to our audience; (iv) after news and current affairs, the most essential access requested by user groups is for RTÉ's highest rating programmes which are sub-titled live and there is no company available in Ireland or England who can provide live Irish sub-titles; (v) pre-prepared subtitles in the Irish language cannot be bought in for acquired programmes and (vi) most of the in-house and commissioned programmes are completed very close to transmission date and while it takes a day to subtitle an English language half-hour drama which is done at RTÉ, the material would have to be sent out for translation and sub-titling and this would take up to three days to prepare and therefore transmission deadlines would not be met.
In response to a query, she said that it is not possible to measure/track the level of usage of the 888 facility.
The value of this service was acknowledged from an equality point of view. The next stage will be to provide Audio Description (AD).
Recent Programming
RTÉ's coverage of the US Presidential election was complimented for the depth of coverage and analysis which brought it into an Irish context. Other programmes which were complimented included Cromwell, Bertie (although it was noted there were no dissenting voices), Spirit Moves, Raw and the series of programmes commemorating the end of World War I. Tommy Tiernan's appearance on the Late Late Show and Katherine Lynch Wonderwomen both came in for some negative comment.
End of Term Report
The draft Final Report up to November 2008 which had been circulated in advance was agreed by the Council. It will now be submitted to the RTÉ Authority at its meeting the following week. Referring to the comprehensive Report prepared last year and submitted to the Authority in November 2007, Mr Quinn said that RTÉ had supported the Council's suggestion that the RTÉ Board member be the Chairperson of any future Council and also the breakdown of membership between individuals and representatives. Mr Quinn reiterated that RTÉ had taken the views of the Council very seriously over the past 5 years and cited its input to the development of the Interculturalism Policy in particular.
Bringing the meeting to an end, the Chairperson wished to place on record the Council's gratitude to all the senior RTÉ executives, and particularly Mr Moynes, who had given their time over the past 5 years. The Council also expressed their thanks to the Council Secretary and Mr Quinn who had both offered support, assistance and advice to the members during their term of office. In reply, Mr Quinn, on behalf of RTÉ, wished the Council members well for the future and paid particular tribute to the five Chairpersons who had each contributed in no small part to the success of the Council. At a lunch preceding the meeting the Director-General had expressed his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Council members for their input and dedication over the previous five years.
When the legislation has been enacted, details of the composition of the new Council will be posted on rte.ie.