The launch this morning of Radio Ireland was a momentous development in the broadcasting history of this State. Much hope will ride on its endeavours from here on, not just on the part of listeners and advertisers but also on the part of the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) which awarded it the licence. It is the only nationwide station not controlled by RTE so, in the interests of diversity and competition, it is vital that it prospers.
The recent omens have not been propitious. The dispute between the station and its chief executive, Mr Dan Collins, has been both public and protracted; it can only have sent out all the wrong signals to potential advertisers. The departure of Mr Collins must also have caused deep concern to the IRTC. His performance as chief executive of Radio Kerry was commendable and his commitment to radio broadcasting of high quality was never in doubt. There can, in addition, be little doubt that his inclusion on the Radio Ireland team was a contributory factor of some significance in winning the licence. Indeed, the Radio Ireland which won the licence 13 months ago has changed not just its chief executive but its head of news, its shareholdings and the location of its studios.
Radio Ireland deserves credit for recruiting as Mr Collins's replacement Mr Dick Hill, who has considerable broadcasting experience. Mr Hill's background, however, is television rather than radio, he is 11 years out of broadcasting and his appointment to Radio Ireland is interim only. The IRTC will review the station's management structures in six months. Radio Ireland would not want to wait a full six months to reach long-term decisions on its management; the departure of Mr Collins leaves question marks over the station's output which need to be answered.
Radio Ireland's schedule and presenters, which were revealed last January, are impressive. Its chairman, Mr John McColgan, seems determined to give listeners programming which is fresh and different. The schedule, however, contained no explicit commitment to documentaries or drama of any kind whatever. Under Mr Collins's control it seemed likely that documentaries and drama would manifest themselves in time. Now it may be different.
The station's backers and management have a difficult task. Their programming will be under constant scrutiny to see that quality prevails. At the same time advertisers will be hoping for audience figures of a size which might more easily be attained by relying on greater amounts of popular music. Similarly, there will be cost pressures acting against quality talk programming.
Radio Ireland comes into a market which is highly competitive but which needs more competition. RTE's Radio One, despite having the best presenters in the business, has not benefited from schedule changes to its flagship programmes. The local stations are prospering to a degree but they have slender resources and do not present RTE with any meaningful competition on news and sport. Radio Ireland has arrived with great potential and faces a formidable challenge. It deserves support and goodwill.