Madam, - The film community would like to add its voice to the concern being expressed about RTÉ's decision to reschedule its arts programming.
We do not believe that RTÉ's intention to merge cultural topics with other daytime programming will fulfil its cultural brief or its public service remit.
To discontinue Rattlebag from an afternoon slot and have a similar arts programme at a late night slot will take culture out of RTÉ's mainstream broadcasting agenda. Without a dedicated prime-time slot for the arts, an in-depth discussion about culture cannot be guaranteed to reach a large audience.
We are delighted to see that the Arts Council is discussing RTÉ's proposed schedule changes with them and we offer our support to the council's director, Mary Cloake, in her endeavours in this regard. - Yours, etc,
BIRCH HAMILTON, Executive Director, Screen Directors Guild of Ireland; On behalf of: Screen Producers Ireland, Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild, Film Base; Curved Street South, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.