Scotland's Culture Secretary has claimed the broadcasting industry in an independent Scotland could become as big as Ireland's.

In a major policy statement, Fiona Hyslop MSP, the SNP Government's Cabinet Secretary for Culture, told RTS Scotland that the current TV and radio workforce in Scotland of 3200 could almost double to match Ireland's 6000.

Ms Hyslop said the broadcasting sector in Scotland lagged behind those of nations of comparable size, such as Ireland and Finland.

"Scotland is a creative and dynamic country and we must be ambitious to do more," she told the audience of RTS members and industry professionals. This would be achieved, she added, through the establishment of a Scottish Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Radio and TV production in Scotland  is currently worth £400m of turnover, but Ms Hyslop said under independence broadcasting would change for the better for both the industry and the public.

She came under fire from some members of the independent production sector, who expressed concerns about the future of commissions if BBC Scotland ceased to exist and access to UK commissioning was undermined. The Culture Secretary countered by claiming the SBS would be a key commissioner and that the BBC would continue to commission programmes from Scotland because of the quality of the Scottish talent base.

"We have consistently championed Scotland as a location for international film and TV production, and we work hard to ensure Scotland is widely recognised for its world-class talent, facilities and locations. Scottish government ministers are committed to supporting a sustained increase in production, " she said.

The event was held in the TV studios of City of Glasgow College, and chaired by STV's John MacKay.