RTÉ postpones plans to launch TV
channel for expats in UK

Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has postponed the planned launch of its international station for the Irish community in Britain, citing straitened financial circumstances, reports The Times.

It says the national broadcaster wrote to Eamon Ryan, the Communications Minister, last month claiming that it would be “unwise” for it to continue with the plan.

John Nolan, chairman of the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society in Britain, said he was “shocked” by the move. “This is really disheartening, especially for the older generation,” he said. “The government has bragged about providing this service and it is long overdue, so there should be no excuses.”

Under the 2007 Broadcasting Act, the RTE Authority is required to set up a channel for “Irish communities outside the island of Ireland”, but there was no time limit imposed.

RTÉ said it intended to honour the commitment in the legislation and hoped to launch the station by the end of 2009. Its initial plan was to have the channel on air by the end of this year.

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Source: Media Network