TEN years after its launch, TG4, the Irish language station, is to be granted its independence. Noel Dempsey, the communications minister, will confirm this week that the station’s assets will be transferred to a new public corporation, breaking the link it has had with RTE for the past decade.

The decision is likely to involve TG4 receiving extra funding to make up for the 365 hours of free programming it currently gets from RTE and which the state broadcaster has estimated to be valued at €73m.

TG4 has been seeking independence for a number of years and has lobbied extensively for a change in its status. In February last year the government appointed Deloitte and Touche to draw up a plan for the break-up.

The decision will be welcomed by campaigners who have sought increased autonomy for the station. Frank Fahey, the junior justice minister, said recently that TG4 required independence to ensure its continued service as an Irish language channel and an alternative viewing choice.

He said the station had “done more to forward the Irish language and people’s attitude to the language than anything else”. Fahey also called for TG4 to receive a proportion of the licence fee revenue, 95% of which goes to RTE with the balance distributed to independent programme makers by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).

Last year TG4 received a grant worth €24.8m. This year it was supposed to receive €25.5m, but was given a €10.5m boost following an increase of €4m from the government and €6.5m from the BCI fund.

The extra funding followed a request by the station to Dempsey to increase its “purchasing power” in order to allow it to compete in the television market. It invests more than €15m annually in original programming from the independent production sector and has won the rights to broadcast a number of sports events including Wimbledon, the Tour de France and Celtic League rugby.

TG4 employs 75 people and provides more than 300 jobs in the independent sector. It is the eighth most popular station in the country, up from 13th when it changed its name from from Teilifis na Gaeilge in September 1999.

Last year the station was extended to Northern Ireland as part of an arrangement under the Belfast agreement.

As part of its birthday celebrations the channel is planning to show live coverage of the first Ladies International Rules Test Series between Ireland and Australia and a special edition of Ros na Run, its long-running soap opera. To celebrate its birthday An Post is releasing a 48c stamp showing 10 candles lighting up the Irish language station’s distinctive blue logo.

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