1922: Entrepreneurs (Marconi Co. begin broadcasting). Seek licence from state.

Department P&T unwilling to get involved in broadcasting due to cost

However Dáil Committee decides radio too important to be left to commercial hands.

Responsibility therefore placed in hands of Department of P&T (formalised by 1926 Wireless Telegraphy Act)

P&T directly operate broadcasting until 1960.

1926 2RN ("To Eireann") begins broadcasting

1933 Radio Athlone transmits national signal for first time

Finance always a major problem - initially largely funded by licence fee (despite huge evasio) and import duties.

1932 Finance grabs duties. Therefore P&T looks to advertising and sponsored programmes

Income to March 1927:

Radio politically neutral. Focused on cultural (esp. music), sporting and educational progs.

Finance improves postwar in anticipation of new station.

WWII saw Ireland (a neutral state) politically and physically isolated.

De Valera convinced of need to develop b'casting as instrument to end the country's isolation - hence plans for a short-wave service from Ireland to the world.

RE's resources dramatically expanded:

- full news service,

- a symphony orchestra,

- light orchestra,

- a theatre company and choir

- mobile recording units

1948 - De Valera loses election. New govt. shelves SW station but Radio Eireann retains benefits ofm investment.

1950s - Launch of ITV ('54) in UK prompts discussion on television.

1951 - 1959: Discussion assumed commercial TV would be the chosen option.

However 1959 - State opts for new semi-state broadcasting authority (RTE) to run radio and television.