Editing TG4 (section)

==History==
[[File:TG4, Baile na hAbhann, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe (2014).jpg|250px|thumb|TG4 headquarters in [[Baile na hAbhann, County Galway]] (2014)]]
In 1969, [[Lelia Doolan]], Jack Dowling and [[Bob Quinn (Irish filmmaker)|Bob Quinn]] published ''Sit down and Be Counted'', a book describing their campaign for a separate Irish-language television service. Bob Quinn is a film director who produced many documentaries and fiction films through the Irish language on limited budgets, including the first Irish-language feature film ''[[Poitín (film)|Poitín]]'' starring [[Niall Tóibín]], [[Cyril Cusack]] and [[Donal McCann]].<ref name="ReferenceA">A Separate Irish language Television Channel? by Margaret O'Connor, Dublin City University</ref>

The three writers proposed small temporary buildings for [[Gaeltacht]] regional television services broadcasting a limited number of hours each night with programming coming from each of the Gaeltacht regions around the country.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

[[RTÉ]] and the Irish government had sought to improve the availability of Irish-language programming on RTÉ services. In 1972, [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]] (RnaG) was set up to provide Irish-language radio services across the country. All radio and television services provided by RTÉ provided some Irish-language programming.

In 1980, a new group called {{Langx|ga|Coiste ar son Teilifís Gaeltachta|label=none}} (The Committee for Irish-Language Television) was set up. In 1987 they set up the pirate television station {{Langx|ga|Teilifís na Gaeltachta|label=none}}, after years of delays, including the sudden death of their technician who was to build the transmitter. Eighteen hours of live and pre-recorded programming was broadcast between 2 and 5 November 1987. The transmitter was built at a cost of [[Irish pounds|IR£4,000]] through donations from local [[Gaeltacht]] communities. In December 1988, further broadcasts were transmitted from three different sites, broadcasting pre-recorded programming.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The movement for a national Irish-language television service continued to gain momentum afterwards. In 1989, Ciarán Ó Feinneadha, one of the members of Coiste ar son Teilifís Gaeltachta, moved to [[Dublin]] and set up a similar organisation in the capital called {{Langx|ga|Feachtas Náisiúnta Teilifíse|label=none}} (FTN). FTN outlined their demands:

* A television station to be set up in the [[Gaeltacht]] regions serving the [[Gaeltacht]] and Irish speakers across the country.
* It should be linked to [[RTÉ]], but independent from both editorial and organisational points of view.
* A special authority set up to run it with representatives from RTÉ, the Department of Communications, and [[Údarás na Gaeltachta]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

It was also suggested that the cap on advertising on RTÉ be removed and the additional funds be designated for the new services. [[Ray Burke (Irish politician)|Ray Burke]] had limited the advertising minutes on RTÉ a few years previously. Hence, there would be no cost to the Exchequer, and funding would also come from the National Lottery and the television Licence.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

FTN suggested two hours of programming each day, with the rest of the broadcast hours used for [[Open University]] type programming.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In the early 1990s, Irish language programmes amounted to only 5% of total programming broadcast by RTÉ, and was reduced significantly during the summer months.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Programmes included ''[[Echo Island]]'' for children, and current affairs programme {{Langx|ga|Cursaí|label=none}}. Before the birth of TG4, RTÉ had suggested the use of RTÉ Two's prime-time schedule for Irish-language programming.

The outgoing coalition parties of [[Fianna Fáil]] and the [[Progressive Democrats]] called for the establishment of an Irish language television station in their 1989 [[manifestos]]. Fianna Fáil stated that they would set up an Irish language television service in the Galway Gaeltacht that would service the whole country. The PDs also looked for the setting up of what they called "{{Langx|ga|Teilifís na Gaeltacha|label=none}}" (TnaG). [[Green Party (Ireland)|The Green Party]]'s manifesto from 1987 also called for the establishment of such a channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/docs/green/Green%20Party%20GE%201987.pdf|title=Irish Manifestos|work=michaelpidgeon.com|df=dmy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221164011/http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/docs/green/Green%20Party%20GE%201987.pdf|archive-date=21 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Fianna Fáil]] entered into coalition with [[Labour Party (Ireland)|The Labour Party]] in 1993 and as part of their programme for government they included the setting up of TnaG. Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]] appointed [[Michael D. Higgins]] as [[Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth|Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht]] and responsibility for broadcasting was given to this department. This government left office in 1994 and was replaced by the [[24th Government of Ireland|Rainbow Coalition]]. Michael D. Higgins was re-appointed as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht under Taoiseach [[John Bruton]]. The new programme for government also sought to launch TnaG as the 3rd channel. TnaG launched in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/pfgs.htm|title=Irish Manifestos|work=michaelpidgeon.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140208202209/http://michaelpidgeon.com/manifestos/pfgs.htm|archive-date=2014-02-08}}</ref>

===On the air===
The total cost in establishing the transmission and links networks, and the construction of the station's headquarters in the [[Connemara]] [[Gaeltacht]], was IR£16.1 million (€20.4 million). Annual running costs increased from IR£10.2 million (€12.95 million) in 1996 to IR£16 million (€20.3 million) in 2001, and €30 million in 2006.

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Tnag425x250.jpg|thumb|left|TnaG Logo 1996 to 1999 at launch]] -->
In fewer than six months from the launch of Teilifís na Gaeilge, almost 65% of Ireland's television sets were able to receive the channel and the nightly audience had risen to 250,000 viewers. Three months later, in May 1997, independent research revealed that the station was able to attract audiences of 500,000, or 68% of television sets in Ireland, for at least one hour's viewing per week.

Very significant assistance in non-monetary terms comes from RTÉ which is required to provide over 360 hours of programming annually at no cost to TG4. TnaG did not come on air until 1996. The initial aim was to show one hour of Irish-language programming each night, increasing to two hours by 1999.

Initial criticisms of the planned station came from journalist [[Kevin Myers]] who derided TnaG as a [[white elephant]], calling it '{{Langx|ga|Teilifís De Lorean|label=none}}', in a reference to the ill-fated [[DeLorean Motor Company]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/tv-radio/the-cheers-27889128.html |title=The cheers |newspaper=[[Evening Herald]] |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308140610/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/entertainment/tv-radio/the-cheers-27889128.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mac Coisdealbh |first=Michael |date=6 July 1996 |title=Letters: TRINITY OF ERRORS? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/trinity-of-errors-1.64888 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201062952/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/trinity-of-errors-1.64888 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=13 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

In 2006, the Irish postal service, [[An Post]], marked ten years of the Irish-language station with a commemorative stamp. The station published a book entitled {{Langx|ga|TG4@10: Deich mBliana de TG4|label=none}} (Ten Years of TG4).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/tg4-book-celebrates-milestone/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123225915/http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/tg4-book-celebrates-milestone/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2013 |title=TG4 book celebrates milestone |date=22 October 2008 |newspaper=Galway Independent |access-date=7 June 2010 }}</ref>

On 1 April 2007, Teilifís na Gaeilge became an independent [[state-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland|statutory corporation]].<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Broadcasting Act|year=2001|number=4|section=44|stitle=Teilifís na Gaeilge.}}</ref> Former [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] president Peter Quinn became first chairman of the corporation. The other members appointed to the authority were Joe Connolly, Pádraig MacDonnacha, Eilís Ní Chonghaile, Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith, Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh, Bríd Ní Neachtáin, Feargal Ó Sé, and Regina Culliton.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2007 |title=New board announced for independent TG4 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0403/87471-tg4/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=RTÉ News}}</ref> Coinciding with TG4's independence from RTÉ, TG4 began broadcasting news from [[France 24]] instead of [[Euronews]]. RTÉ holds a share in [[Euronews]], meaning TG4 could no longer broadcast the service.

On 1 July 2007, TG4 became a member of the [[European Broadcasting Union]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://tg4-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/tg4-redesign-2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TG4-Tuarascail-07-B.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007 |date=2007 |publisher=TG4 |page=13 |quote=TG4’s application for membership of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was accepted in July 2007 and we now play a full part in the operations and discussions of that body |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>

In 2008, TG4 became a founding member of [[World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network]] (WITBN).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.witbn.org/?page_id=129#linkmaoritv |title=WITBN |publisher=WITBN |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325193911/http://www.witbn.org/?page_id=129#linkmaoritv |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 12 July 2009, the [[Broadcasting Act 2009]] was enacted.<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Broadcasting Act|year=2009|number=18}}</ref> Many of the provisions of the Act relating to RTÉ also apply to TG4, with the station being subject to regulation from the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]. The Act also changed the English-language title of the Chief Executive of TG4 to "Director General" in line with that of the head of RTÉ, and in the Irish language from "{{Langx|ga|Ceannasaí|label=none}}" to "{{Langx|ga|Ardstiúrthóir|label=none}}".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tg4.ie/corp/foir/foir.asp |title=AISEOLAS |publisher=TG4 |language=Irish |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611234139/http://www.tg4.ie/corp/foir/foir.asp |archive-date=11 June 2010 }}</ref> There have been two Chief Executives and three Director Generals of TG4: [[Cathal Goan]] (who later became [[Director General of RTÉ]] from 2003 to 2010),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/about/goanc.html |title=Director-General – Cathal Goan |publisher=RTÉ Press Office |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814005521/http://www.rte.ie/about/goanc.html |archive-date=14 August 2010 }}</ref> [[Pól Ó Gallchóir]] (1999 - 2009 as Chief Executive, 2009–2016 as Director General), and [[Alan Esslemont]] (2016 to 2025).<ref name="TG4Board2016-">{{Cite web |title=Board of TG4 |url=http://membership.stateboards.ie/en/board/TG4/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=State Boards (Ireland)}}</ref> Deirdre Ní Choistín was appointed Director General in April 2025.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/03/04/deirdre-ni-choistin-appointed-director-general-of-tg4/ | title=Deirdre Ní Choistín appointed director general of TG4 | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref>

The Irish language enthusiast [[Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí]] wrote {{Langx|ga|Súil eile|label=none}} (published by Cois Life in 2017).<ref name=cl>{{cite news|url=https://www.coislife.ie/udair/sean-tadhg-o-gairbhi/?lang=en|title=Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí|work=Cois Life|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206090438/https://www.coislife.ie/udair/sean-tadhg-o-gairbhi/?lang=EN|archive-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' selected it as one of its best Irish language books of the year and described it as "the standard book for anyone wanting to take a ''súil eile'' at the history of the station for years to come".<ref>{{cite news|first=Pól|last=Ó Muirí|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-best-irish-language-books-of-2017-1.3318202|title=The best Irish-language books of 2017: Writers tackle subjects ranging from the history of TG4 to teenage bullying|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=16 December 2017|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118122722/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-best-irish-language-books-of-2017-1.3318202|url-status=live}}</ref>