Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Susan Kennedy/Lensmen

The Oireachtas really wants you to know it broadcasts the Dáil on TV

The parliament’s communications unit is stepping up an advertising campaign.

THE OIREACHTAS IS attempting to entice move viewers to tune in to the Dáil, the Seanad, and Committees, following the launch of a dedicated TV channel earlier this year.

Twitter and Google Adwords pilot campaigns, costing a combined €2,000, have been launched as Oireachtas TV gears up to become Ireland’s own version of BBC Parliament.

This will be expanded in the new year, and will include radio advertisements.

An exact budget for this has yet to be set.

However, the head of the Oireachtas Communications Unit said the cost of any advertising will be ‘modest’, and carried out with far fewer resources than commercial broadcasters.

Mark Mulqueen told TheJournal.ie the station’s initial launch has so far gone very well.

“The next step to make sure that people are aware and are encouraged to use the service,” he said.

The whole approach to the channel has been a soft launch, with the aim for it to be a slow burner, and gradually through 2015 we’ll carry out more marketing.

Mulqueen said that their viewship, like their available funds, is highly unlikely to ever compare to any commercial broadcaster.

In fact, they aren’t too concerned about enticing more viewers in, as long as more people know about it.

“It’s not about the size of the audience. It’s about making sure everybody knows what’s happening in the Oireachtas… that’s our role as the communications unit of a parliament.

Right now they have “no way of measuring” viewship, and will have to apply through a private firm to find this out.

Mulqueen added that as the station develops, there will be attempts to make it more accessible.

Oireachtas Promoted Tweet A promoted tweet by the Oireachtas twitter account earlier this week. @OireachtasNews @OireachtasNews

More on-screen prompts and captions will explain exactly what is going on.

In a same vein of making the Oireachtas more easy to view and experience, 2015 will see see Oireachtas.ie revamped to rival the likes of KildareStreet.com.

Oireachtas TV is available on UPC Channel 207, Sky Channel 574, eVision (Eircom) 504, or online.

Nothing on telly? You can now flick over and watch the Oireachtas >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
38 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute david dickson
    Favourite david dickson
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 7:41 PM

    Dougal would press it till his dying days.

    175
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Byyys
    Favourite Byyys
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 7:43 PM

    http://gfycat.com/DismalBleakBeaver ….Thinking the exact same thing!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Slattery
    Favourite Peter Slattery
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 7:58 PM

    Oh shut the **** up Darren. Can we go one thread without some unimaginative, boring tit dragging SF into it?

    97
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Slattery
    Favourite Peter Slattery
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 8:08 PM

    Couldn’t be more wrong. I’m no SF supporter. I just find those bellowing about them in every thread, no matter how unrelated, irritating and tiresome.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Science of beer
    Favourite Science of beer
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 8:19 PM

    Shut up trolling Muppet

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al Beebak
    Favourite Al Beebak
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 8:20 PM

    Please stop feeding the troll

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symbolism
    Favourite Symbolism
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 7:59 PM

    I’m too busy watching paint dry

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute david garland
    Favourite david garland
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 7:46 PM

    Wasn’t there something similar in the TV show lost?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Life in no motion
    Favourite Life in no motion
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 9:22 PM

    Reddit != ‘The Internet’

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Mullins
    Favourite Niall Mullins
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 9:32 PM

    Ingenious marketing.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Qwerty
    Favourite Qwerty
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2015, 9:45 PM

    There’s something very eBayesque about this.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds