Sponsorship of RTÉ’s Big Big Movie by McDonald’s does not breach the rules on children’s programming, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

The country’s broadcasting watchdog has upheld a complaint against The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ radio involving an interview conducted by the host on the subject of abortion.

The Government has agreed new powers which will allow a minister determine whether proposed media mergers are in the public interest in terms of diversity in the sector.

It was set in a spectacular €380m location and involved a 450-strong army of behind-the-camera personnel.