Sir, - I read with dismay the comments made by Professor Farrel Corcoran, chairman of the RTE Authority, in which he said "the increasing obligation to commission from the independent sector was a further financial strain on RTE's resources".
In the recent past the Independent Production Companies have provided RTE with programmes such as The Joy, Dear Daughter, Ear To The Ground, Blackboard Jungle, Moveable Feast, Hoodwinked, The Lyrics Board, Hot Milk and Pepper. Waterways, Davis, Hallelujah Love and Stuff. Dodge The Question, Top 30 Hits, and many more.
All this for £8.5 million out of RTE's £150 million. One might think he would be praising the independent sector, and RTE's Independent Productions Unit, for imagination and value for money. We trust the viewers would like more from the independent sector not less. - Yours, etc.
on behalf of Film Makers Ireland,
Duke Street,
Dublin 2.