Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Thanks to the Evening Herald freedom of information request, we read last night that distinguished broadcasters such as Pat Kenny and Gerry Ryan earn upwards of €600,000 per annum and Ryan Tubridy earns upwards of €300,000 per annum. A number of other broadcasters and newscasters also earn very high salaries. What are described as high-profile newshounds on various news stations are also equally well remunerated.

Concerns have been raised by a number of viewers and listeners with my office regarding additional reports, in The Sunday Times I think, relating to the provision of free luxury cars for broadcasters. It was reported, for example, that Mr. Tubridy has the use of a Lexus IS200, Mr. Pat Kenny has the use of a BMW or has a relationship with BMW, Mr. Gerry Ryan has a relationship with the Mazda company and Ms Gráinne Seoige of Sky News Ireland has an association with Audi.

It seems important to me that the interests of commercial news broadcasters and people involved in the public domain of broadcasting who comment on national and international issues should be publicly known. I have the fifth edition of the RTE staff manual 2004 which states in section 2.16:

It is the clear and unalterable policy of RTE that no programme presenter — especially those who are involved in news and/or current affairs and related output — should be associated with commercial or other interests such that the audience's perception of their broadcasting role is or could be adversely affected. Thus, no involvement in advertising, no public association with specific projects or services, no availing of access to goods or services on preferential terms, no association with the promotion of goods or services will be permitted.

A few pages further on in the manual, section 4.9 states: "Broadcasters and performers engaged by RTE as independent contractors are not staff and are not covered by this manual." It seems, therefore, that the requirements for clarity and transparency are not clearly indicated in the manual.

Does the Minister intend to ensure in the broadcasting Bill that the interests, commercial or otherwise, of all commentators on public affairs, including ourselves, be declared? Listening to a current affairs programme last night — a programme I was on a few nights previously — I found it jarring that a publication of the presenter was advertised in the middle of his programme. Is that an area we need to examine?

I say to our distinguished print journalists, one of whom is present, that if they are commenting on public affairs, the same requirements for transparency as apply to us should apply to them and to news and current affairs broadcasters, including those who report so faithfully on our doings in this House. I would be grateful for the Minister's opinion on these concerns which have been transmitted to me by numerous constituents.

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