Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)

Specifically to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, it is extremely welcome to see Irish language journalists and broadcasters come a step closer to pay parity with their English language counterparts. Those toward the top of the old Raidió na Gaeltachta pay scales will now be at the closest point on the RTÉ pay scales to their previous salary. Given the significant disparity - I believe it is a difference of €16,000 for radio producers and a difference of €14,000 for the radio BCO scale between the pay scales - why are people not being put on the point most equivalent to their experience as opposed to their current lower pay? Perhaps Mr. Bakhurst will answer that.