Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister happy that just fewer than 150 people in RTE earn more than €100,000 a year? Seven or eight people in the organisation earn more than €300,000 per annum. Is that appropriate for an organisation the size of RTE? Perhaps it is, I do not know, but it is my job to ask those questions when RTE is currently under significant pressure financially and that pressure is being added to by the increased responsibilities in the organisation that will arise from the Broadcasting Bill and in particular from the DTT service.

I would like to recognise the vote among unions in RTE to introduce wage reductions, which involve significant sacrifices for many staff members. That was not an easy decision and it is important to recognise that.

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