Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister said, I have raised this at several committees, including the joint committee with responsibility for media and the Committee of Public Accounts. When I raised the issue at the Committee of Public Accounts, the RTÉ representatives at that time gave a commitment to review the situation. We chased it up with them because we had got no response, and they came back eventually and said that was not happening. While I appreciate the response the Minister got, when I first raised this at the Committee of Public Accounts, it was April 2021, so I suspect they are dragging their heels. The Minister said there is an ongoing review. I would say to the Minister that we need to keep on top of this. It is discrimination, and there is no other way to describe it.

While the Minister respects the independence of RTÉ as a public broadcaster, we certainly will not be turning a blind eye to blatant discrimination, which is what this is. I do not hold much faith in the ongoing review. I think they are giving the same spiel they gave to us in the Committee of Public Accounts, and then when we press them, there is nothing happening at all. We need to keep on top of this and not let them away with this or let them continue that practice.

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