Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some people, the more unscrupulous politicians, might do it, Chairman. We saw what this has the potential to do in the presidential election, when a planted, loaded grenade went off in the middle of a "Prime Time" programme and did huge damage. I was never going to vote for the man, but I believe it did huge damage to him. There should be some type of clearance, whether the programmes are hosted by Marian Finucane, Pat Kenny, Joe Duffy or whoever, because obviously commentary is being planted to do damage to a person politically. People tend to say, "There is no smoke without fire. I heard it on the radio so it must true". Perhaps Mr. Curran will comment on that as well.

Ms O'Keeffe referred to contractors. To be fair to the committee, we are not talking about people who are painting and decorating or rewiring the place. The contractors we are referring to are the contractors whose names appear in the newspapers every year. In view of their salaries, one would be better off getting one of those positions than winning the lotto. If one wins the lottery, one will win it only once whereas if one gets one of those positions, one will be paid every year. The low hanging fruit was mentioned. People from RTE have contacted me, as a member of the committee, in a private capacity. I have been surprised by how many. They feel aggrieved because they believe it is the workers in the organisation, particularly the low paid workers, who have taken the hits. The witnesses have said that staff numbers have been reduced, but they have been reduced primarily where salaries are at the lower end of the scale. The witnesses can correct me on that if I am mistaken. Certainly, as Deputy Colreavy said, the public perception is that the low hanging fruit is the employees, while the rich pickings are in a different orchard. Mr Curran said negotiations will be concluded. How long are the negotiations with these celebrities under way? With whom is RTE negotiating? Is it negotiating with them as individuals or as a group or do they have a trade union? When does RTE expect the negotiations to conclude and will it publish the conclusion?