Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Proposed Acquisition of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media plc: Discussion

12:00 pm

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I am sure you would, Chairman. I am just agreeing with Professor Kenny. I would rather state my opinion and then ask him the following question. At any point during Professor Kenny's own career, was he conflicted by the ownership of the media outlet that he worked for, in terms of stuff that he wanted to write, say or edit? If he does not want to answer that is fine, but was there any challenge to him in his career by the ownership of the Sunday Independentor anybody within that group?

We should be looking at everything to do with the plurality of the media here today. In some cases, there are so many fingers in so many pies that there is bound to be a conflict of interest. If I was a journalist and, for example, I was worried about the activities of Siteserv within the creation of Irish Water and their role within that, and I wanted to write something about it and I worked for certain outlets, I might be very concerned. I might ask myself: "Do I want to travel up the structure in this media outlet? If I do, am I able to make these criticisms?" I would like the academics to comment on that point.

On the substantive issue, Independent News and Media is being seen as the saviour of the Celtic Media group. I absolutely believe Mr. Mulrennan and Mr. Tadhg Carey whom I know from the past. I know they are really concerned about the workforce and workers' conditions, so they should be really concerned that their workers are going to be taken over by that group.

I am concerned they will be taken over by a group which will savage the pension entitlements of workers by reducing them by 70%, bringing pensions down to an unlivable scale within a matter of a couple of years. Is there not extreme concern that it will, in turn, savage the workers' rights and entitlements within that context? If Celtic Media thinks local media is threatened by the proliferation of advertising moving to digital and social media, how does it think Independent News and Media will guarantee its long-term survival? It seems to me the move by Independent News and Media to take over Celtic Media is to allow it to start returning dividends to some of its owners. Some of the richest people on the planet want more dividends from media ownership in this country. It is not just about avoiding more losses; it is also returning more profits. I would like a comment on that and also a comment from the National Union of Journalists, NUJ.

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