David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The review arose out of our deliberations on this issue. The Eversheds Sutherland report states that there may be issues of bogus self-employment and that RTÉ must engage with the individuals involved. It is only last week that the process of meeting some of those staff members began, which is frustrating for the people involved. There are issues still to be resolved in this matter. We had several Secretaries General discuss those issues with us at the committee. As I recall, it was the Secretary General at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment who acknowledged that the practice of bogus self-employment is illegal. There are also taxation issues that have not been addressed. The facts surrounding this issue must be established in a public way. RTÉ management is meeting the staff and making arrangements to put them on the appropriate contracts. However, if it is the case that RTÉ was intentionally putting people on contracts in such a way as to engage in the process of bogus self-employment, that is very serious for the organisation.

Given that we commenced this process, we must follow through on it. I propose that we go back to RTÉ management to establish whether or not it accepts there were people on bogus self-employment contracts and, second, whether there are taxation issues arising from that and, if so, whether RTÉ has been in contact with Revenue or intends to make such contact. I would like an assurance that there will be full disclosure following all the meetings with the individuals concerned as to whether or not such practices were happening in RTÉ and to what extent. It is an ongoing issue in several sectors and a growing problem. If illegal practice did take place, we must respond to that and any taxation issues must be dealt with. None of that is established in the letter.