Sir, - It is inconceivable that the RT╔ Authority propose to cut 200 hours of home-produced programmes to save costs, as reported in Saturday's newspapers. This would most directly affect rural areas and some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Lyric FM news has among its listeners many elderly folk who find chat shows hard to follow and changing stations difficult because of disability.
To scrap the Telethon would damage the very core of much-needed funding for diverse projects throughout the country.
The TV programme Nationwide not only covers rural news items but provides a vital window of introduction for the new inventor, arts and crafts, music and activities for the disabled, among others.
How can the Minister for the Arts condone such cuts - not to mention the curtailment of activities of the National Symphony Orchestra and RT╔ Concert Orchestra in a climate in which financial backing is unlikely to come from the business sector. And do we really need two 24-hour TV channels?
Think again. We should be promoting our experienced workforce, not creating a "brain drain". - Yours, etc.,
Joy P. Roe, Streamstown, Co Westmeath.