A DISPUTE between RTE and Teilifis na Gaeilge over programme costs for the new Irish speaking station will not stop it going on the air in October, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the" Gaeltacht said.
At yesterday's sod turning ceremony for the new station's head quarters in Baile na hAbhann, Connemara, Mr Higgins sharply rebuked critics of the project who, he said, believed nothing creative was worth doing and regarded broadcasting as no more than delivering a mass audience advertisers.
Defending the right of Irish speakers to have access in Irish to "the most powerful medium of communication", the Minister poured scorn on commentators who had often portrayed Teilifis na Gaeilge as "an extravagant, personal gesture which I was pushing through in the teeth of Government, political and public opposition".
Such biased comment ignored of only the rights of Irish language speakers but the economic impact of the new service which would create some 30 high quality jobs in the station itself, and more than 200 in the independent production sector.
Already Teilifis na Gaeilge had offered contracts to more than 20 production companies which would produce 30 hours of new programmes. Applications by 40 more production companies were now being assessed.
"The project has had the clear support of two successive governments and has been welcomed by all parties in Dail Eireann," Mr Higgins said.
"The decision on Teilifis na Gaeilge had to be taken now or a crucial moment affecting citizenship, the Irish language and democracy would be lost for ever. The debate over Teilifis na Gaeilge is about national self "respect."
The £2 million headquarters building is due for completion by the summer, after which the transmission network and presentation facilities will be set up. The £16 million capital cost of establishing the network will come from Exchequer funds and from, the 1990 capping of RTE revenue band its accrued interest.
The Exchequer will also contribute £10 million a year towards running costs, and of the two hours' daily programming which the station initially will broadcast, RTE will be required to provide one hour free of charge.
Mr Higgins told The Irish Times that he does not accept RTE's claim that this would cost it £7 million a year his Department has estimated the cost at £5 million.
Discussions are being held between RTE and Comhairle Theilifis na Gaeilge to resolve the cost conflict, he said, and he did not expect it to delay the opening of the station on October 31st.
In a statement yesterday the Fianna Fail spokeswoman, Ms Sile de Valera, said the Government had given a commitment last January that the day to day running costs of the station would be met by the exchequer, but pow the Minister was "forcing RTE to carry part of the costs".