Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Currently, I am working with the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Advisers on possible Private Members' legislation that would regulate the issue of higher pay, such that it would be linked to public service pay scales. I have been surprised at the positivity that I have received to that proposal, not from the public where one might expect that there would be a lot of people who would agree with that, but among journalists. It seems to be that there is something of a morale issue in RTÉ, and not just around what the top earners are getting, which is seen to be way in excess of the top public sector pay scales. I have heard the phrase "yellow pack" from different cohorts within RTÉ about staff who are paid much less favourable rates than others who have been in the organisation for longer. We have had the recent public disagreement between the local union representatives in RTÉ and the national representatives, and a certain amount of briefing on both sides about that. Would Ms Forbes welcome legislative intervention that would respect RTÉ's independence as a broadcaster, but set the parameters that would have the effect of limiting the pay on offer at the highest levels?