Ireland's national public-service broadcaster, RTÉ, announced with two week's notice that they will shut down the longwave transmitter on April 14. This is a vital link with home for the Irish in Britain.

This move will disproportionately harm older Irish people, and particularly the most vulnerable among them. 

Those most affected do not have access to digital alternatives; many are not online at all. We are speaking out on their behalf. 

The move seems to have been deliberately timed over Easter, with the Oireachtas on holiday, and with a short notice that prevents the word getting out to those most affected. There has been no outreach to the vast majority of the audience.

We know how much the community relies on this service. When RTÉ attempted a shutdown before, there was a tremendous outcry from listeners, prompting the Department of Foreign Affairs to fund a 2016 report on the listeners. That study received an overwhelming response, with over 3,000 phoning in. It found “For the majority of respondents, longwave was seen as a ‘lifeline’ to Ireland - helping them ‘maintain a sense of Irishness’ and to keep up with events ‘back home’.”

Additionally, the study found: 

• 92% of respondents listen “every day” or “most days”.
• The majority of listeners said they would need help in figuring out how to access digital alternatives, and 68 per cent said they knew no one who could help them.
• 72 per cent were over the age of 60, and 45 per cent were above 70.
• Only 41 per cent attend or use the services of Irish organisations in the UK, meaning there would be difficulties in reaching those who need assistance in changing technologies.
• A third of listeners live alone, with half having health issues such as reduced vision or hearing and mobility problems.

RTÉ says the longwave currently costs €250,000 to run. RTE has an annual operating budget of €340 million; the expenditure amounts to about 0.07% of its budget.

Ireland owes the Irish in Britain a tremendous debt: Irish emigrants in Britain sent the contemporary equivalent of €5.7 billion back to Irish families between 1940 and 1970. Many of those who made that sacrifice are still alive today. This move - with two weeks notice - is an insult to that generation and a powerful message of disregard to the entire global Irish community. 

We are calling on RTE Director General Dee Forbes, Minister for the Diaspora Seán Fleming, Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to work together to postpone the longwave shutdown and come up with a suitable plan that will address the needs of this community.