CLOSURE OF RTÉ LONDON BUREAU

That this House notes with concern the proposal of the Irish public service broadcaster, RT (Radio Telefs ireann), to close its London bureau and cease operations from September 2012; pays tribute to the illustrious record of service provided by the bureau and its staff in keeping Irish viewers informed about British economic, political and cultural life, contributing to the peaceful resolution of conflict and promoting increasingly close relations between Britain and Ireland and the people of our respective islands; while recognising the drastic fall of broadcasting revenue at a time of economic crisis; furthernotes the concerns of the Irish community in Britain for the long-term consequences of RT bureau closure; believes that on-the-spot access for Irish-based media and engagement in public life in this jurisdiction is vital to fulfil the vision of future British-Irish relations as set out by the Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach in their historic statement of 12 March 2012; and urges the Government to support the case for retention of the Bureau and assist in the search for alternatives to closure.