Ring calls plans to close Castlebar studios foolish

Plans to close Castlebar RTÉ studio won’t benefit Mayo’s three future ministers - Ring


Edwin McGreal

APPARENT RTÉ plans to close their studio in Castlebar will prove to be foolish once Fine Gael go into government, according to the party’s Westport-based TD Michael Ring.
Commenting on speculation that the Castlebar base is set to close, the Fine Gael Spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs argues that an RTÉ base in Mayo will be vital when, he confidently predicts, Fine Gael are in government with Enda Kenny as Taoiseach and himself and John O’Mahony as ministers.
“It is clear that Fine Gael will be in Government, and we will be in Government very soon.  When that happens, there will be a Taoiseach and Ministers in the county, so closing the broadcaster’s base in the county makes no sense.”
Deputy Ring has been informed that the only RTÉ programme based at the Castlebar studio, Raidió na Gaeltachta’s ‘Ceartlár na nDaoine’ is being cut from September and the three Mayo Gaeltacht regions of Achill, Erris and Tourmakeady will be left without a current affairs programme.
“This decision to downgrade and eventually close the RTÉ studio in Castlebar makes no political, regional or media sense. Pulling the plug on the people of Mayo is nonsensical and another massive blow to the West.
“The news and media content generated through the RTÉ Castlebar studio more than justifies its use. Mayo people and politicians will have to travel to Galway or Athlone now to contribute to the National Broadcaster and that is a ridiculous situation.”
However in response to Deputy Ring’s comments RTÉ has confirmed that ‘Ceartlár na nDaoine’ is being cut, but the staff from that programme will be redeployed to work on Ráidió na Gaeltachta’s morning current affairs schedule five days a week. This, it says, will actually lead to increased activity in Castlebar as ‘Ceartlár na nDaoine’ only airs three times a week.
However RTÉ did add that it is giving serious consideration to all cost-saving measures including evaluating all RTÉ operations and facilities in Dublin and beyond.