SPI welcomes independence step

SCRENN PRODUCERS IRELAND (SPI) has welcomed the news that Communications Minister Noel Dempsey has decided to appoint advisers to assist in the preparation for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body.

SPI said it is committed to Irish language television programming and has been vocal in its ongoing support of TG4 with calls for independence for the station.

It also wants the channel’s annual funding from the Exchequer to be increased if it is to survive as an independent entity. It wants the funding increased from €23.3m to €44m a year by 2008, so the channel can increase its Irish output to six hours a day.