TG4, the Irish language television channel became an independent statutory entity on 1 April 2007 (Teilifís na Gaeilge). The channel has been on-air since late 1996.

800,000 viewers tune into the channel each day. It has a share of 3% of the national television market. The daily Irish language programme schedule is its core service: six hours of innovative quality programming in Irish supported by a wide range of material in other languages.

TG4 invests over €20m annually in original Irish programming from the independent production sector in Ireland. This investment supports 350 posts in small private sector companies throughout the island.

The channel provides a daily programme schedule in Irish for children and young people. Both of the Cúla4 zones and the Síle strand for young adults provide a wide range of entertaining and top-quality content in Irish and represent an attractive and entertaining daily point of contact with Irish in a context that is totally different to school.

TG4 is the most positive and high-profile Government policy for the Irish language for the past fifty years. The project has received the support of all parties and Governments since 1992.

The channel's programmes have achieved national recognition, prestigious prizes and awards at home and abroad and sales overseas.

Music, documentary and sports coverage have earned particular praise for TG4. Its regular soap-opera, Ros na Rún has made its mark as has the channel's distinctive news service, Nuacht TG4.

TG4 is acknowledged as one of the most efficient and cost effective television stations in Europe.

The high-skill employment generated by TG4 is of particular importance in the Gaeltacht areas. The channel is the largest and most strategically important investor in the future of sustaining the Gaeltacht.

The Government will provide current funding of €32.25m to TG4 for 2010. TG4 also derives income from selling commercial air-time and programme sponsorship.

The channel's schedule - and its news service in particular - ensures a space for the non-centrist perspective and for emerging talent.

The channel's audience has increased significantly over the past two years. Surveys carried out by leading market research companies show that TG4 is satisfying its core Gaeltacht and Irish language audiences as well as the wider national audience.

TG4 employs a young dedicated core staff of 80 people from all parts of Ireland at its Connemara headquarters.

The channel's signal covers Ireland. It is receivable directly by aerial and on cable throughout the island. It is carried on digital satellite to BSkyB customers in the Republic and in Northern Ireland and also transmits aon analogue terrestrial from a local mast on Divis near Belfast.

TG4 is a public service broadcaster. It provides live coverage of Dáil Éireann each Wednesday and Thursday mornings as well as live coverage of the proceedings of key Dáil Committees from time to time.

The functions and duties of TG4 (Teilifís na Gaeilge) are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. The new entity has a nine member board and is chaired by Peter Quinn, former GAA President. The channel had originally been established and operated under the statutory umbrella of RTÉ 1996-2007. Post-independence TG4 continues to receive a programme supply of 365 hours of programming annually from RTÉ, at no cost to TG4, as specified in the Broadcasting Act.

TG4 has premiere exclusive live tv rights for a number of top GAA competitions, for some League of Ireland soccer matches and for the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Tour de France.