Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My final question relates to staffing. I hope Mr. Bakhurst and the team remember that they have loyal people working in the organisation. They are not the public face of the organisation but they work in the organisation. I hope Mr. Bakhurst and his team will protect as many of their jobs as possible, particularly as these people have been loyal to RTÉ. They are very upset at what went on in RTÉ. I hope that many of their jobs can be protected, particularly in the context of any outsourcing of work.

Broadcasting is changing. I was in Belmullet again recently. It is funny. There is a crew there. They have a little shed, which they are looking to extend, and they are producing programmes for German television. Everything has changed. I am aware of the online stuff. Everything in the world is changing. Everything is getting faster and easier, but maybe not cheaper, to do. If RTÉ is outsourcing work, I would like it to look at Irish companies or companies based in Ireland rather than going outside the State. I hope that the staff in RTÉ, as I say, not the broadcasting staff but the staff who have been loyal to RTÉ since its foundation - they love RTÉ, they work in RTÉ and they have given their lives to RTÉ - will be protected and looked after in every way possible.