Tá an-áthas orm a bheith anseo libh inniu i Zanzibar chun an sraith nua teilifíse “Hector san Afraic, Ó Chairo go Capetown”, a sheoladh. I am delighted to be here in Zanzibar, (how appropriate considering the topic!), to launch the new television series “Hector san Afraic”, which is a six part African journey with Hector Ó hEochagáin, “from Cairo to Capetown”.
I cannot help but wonder was Africa ready for Hector? And what did they think of him, in Cairo and Capetown, or for that matter in the Omo valley, at the Samburu tribal wedding or in any of the other exotic places that he visited during the making of this programme?
Did the Masaii warriors recognise one of their own, even if he does come from Navan in my own constituency?
Is oth liom a rá nach bhfuil Hector fós in a chónaí i mo Dháilcheanntar. Tá sé posta agus ina chónaí i nGaillimh.
Hector is described in TG4’s Preas Ráiteas as “irreverent”! I would say that this is a very mild word to describe Hector, who bounced onto our screens with the award winning series of Amú some years ago and slowly built up a dedicated following.
Tá Hector ag obair i TG4 ó naoi déag nócha seacht mar léiritheoir ar na cláracha “Amú”. Bhí an t-ath leis agus bhuiagh an sraith sin a lán duaiseanna.
My abiding memories of him, however, started when he bought Traverse, the race horse, and we followed his journey from the sales in Newmarket to the hallowed grounds of Ballybrit for the Galway races. It was compulsive viewing!
Craoladh an clár “Only Fools buy Horses” ar RTÉ. Bhí lucht féachana mór ag an gclár agus mar thoradh bhí clú agus cáil ar Hector ar fud na tíre!
And what about “Hangin with Hector”?
He looked completely at ease sitting in the Mercedes with the Taoiseach as he followed him from the Cabinet meeting in Farmleigh to all his official functions, including travelling on the Government jet! He gave us a different perspective of each of the celebrities he “Hung” with during the series!
Hector’s unique style of presentation is very popular and it is no surprise that he is now presenting a new series for TG4. Love him or hate him, he is one of TG4’s major finds and both he and TG4 are a great attraction for the promotion of Irish.
I understand that the new series sees Hector presenting a new style (well it would have to be with Hector!), travel programme, getting out into the wilds of Africa,
making his way south from Cairo through Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa.
Thosnaigh Hector a thuras san Eigipt, ar bruach an Níl, bhuail sé le Beidiúnacha, (agus le Haile Gebreselassie), d’ól sé fuil caorach (agus tae!) agus caith sé tamaill le na Hadzabe bushmen!
I have to congratulate TG4 on its continuing success in providing attractive programming that is of interest to Irish audiences. As a consequence TG4’s audience share has been rising steadily and is currently at 3.5% of peak-time share. I understand that the live coverage of the AIB All-Ireland Club Finals on St. Patrick’s Day attracted over 400,000 viewers with an audience share of 20% that afternoon! The conclusion of major sports rights deals for both GAA and League of Ireland soccer will ensure yet more viewers.
Tá a fhíos agam go mbíonn lucht féachana an-leathan ag breathnú ar an spóirt a chraoltar ar TG4 ! Ní amhain daoine a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge a bhíonn ag breathnú. Is comhartha é seo don tionchar mór atá ag TG4 ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge I ngach cuid den tire.
TG4 continues to win major prizes and awards at national and international level and I understand its own on-screen “indents” were recently shortlisted for the prestigious European Promax Awards.
Hector was a previous winner at the International Celtic Film and Television Festival, which this year takes place in Cardiff. I wish TG4 the best of luck with the five (yes, five!) programmes that are up for awards there.
I am pleased that on foot of a commitment in the Good Friday Agreement that more and more people in Northern Ireland will now be able to enjoy TG4’s programming. Officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs agreed steps with their British counterparts with a view to increasing the reception of TG4 in Northern Ireland. I understand that TG4 is now accessible by 90% of the population in the North.
Today, on the occasion of the launch of “Hector san Afraic”, the future looks bright for TG4. I look forward to my own visit to Baile na hAbhann in May to see for myself “TG4 ag obair”!
I wish TG4 and Hector every success with the new series, which I have no doubt will be welcomed by the audience.
Molaim TG4 as ucht an méid atá déanta ag an stáisiúin ó bunaíodh é agus táim ag tnúth le mo chuairt ar Baile na hAbhann go luath amach anseo.
Déanaim comhghairdeas arís le Hector agus le gach duine a raibh baint acu leis an gclár nua.
ENDS