A request by TG4 for increased funding is being considered by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Dail was told.

The Minister, Ms de Valera, said a plan submitted by the station envisaged "a substantial increase in its existing base-level funding over a three-year period". She said the station was to get £14.029 million in current funding and £870,000 in capital funding this year.

Replying to Mr Austin Deasy (FG, Waterford), she said the station wanted to become a separate statutory entity at some stage, E. However, and "there is now a strong wish that the separation would take place, on foot of consultation and further funding. I am looking at this."

Mr Dinny McGinley (FG, Donegal South-West) said that the comprehensive service provided by TG4 was being done on a shoestring. SC4 provided a similar service in Wales and received £100 million sterling a year.

Ms de Valera denied that the station was depending on the same level of funding as it was in 1997. "I am the first to say that those in TG4 are doing tremendous work. They are mostly young people and they run a very tight ship. It is an example of how things should be done in many cases."