Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure I will be able to add anything new to the debate. It has gone on for so long now and I understand more might come out in the wash but I still feel I have to put on the public record my disappointment over what has gone on in the past few weeks and my disdain for some of the practices that have allegedly occurred. Over the last few weeks, it has been demonstrated that a culture of excess was prevalent in RTÉ and was clear for all to see. Salaries had got out of control and money has been misspent. It has culminated in an undermining and, some would argue, collapse of public confidence in RTÉ, our national broadcaster.

I welcome the Minister's move to establish two parallel reviews, a review of governance and culture and a review of contractor fees, HR and other matters. I believe the Minister has no other recourse. She had to act because among all of the excess and lavishness, the public interest has to be served if we are to salvage any credibility in this organisation. Given the importance of public service broadcasting, it behoves us to make sure that the reviews are concise and critical but delivered in a manner where no questions remain unresolved and in an expeditious timeframe if possible. I note the Minister has reiterated that all members of the board, senior executive team and senior management are to fully engage with the review. This expectation should extend this to former staff, where applicable.

The question I am most concerned about is that of the future funding model, as referenced by Deputy Bruton. I understand the need for a pause until we fully discern what exactly transpired, and the extent of what went on. Nonetheless, the future funding of the broadcaster and expectation from the public to get clarity on what is expected of them must be addressed, for RTÉ and public representatives, in particular, to be able to stand over it. There is a growing resentment out there about the non-payment of the licence fee. As many other speaker have referenced, we have been getting a lot of messages in the last couple of weeks about people's intention not to comply with paying the licence fee. The reviews instigated by the Minister will have to clarify the concerns people have in relation to compliance with paying the licence fee.

There are one or two other issues I would like to raise that have been a source of commentary in local media in Cork. Reference was made, in particular, to the potential for the Cork studio to be sold off and another premises rented. I hope that when all that has transpired over the past number of years comes out in the wash, we do not look at the easy low-hanging fruit, like getting rid of our local or regional studios. If anything, they highlight the best of what has gone on in RTÉ over the last few decades. It would be a shame if we lost the Galway, Limerick or Cork studios in the near future.

I highlight the other subsidiaries of RTÉ, including TG4, and the excellent value for service that they bring to the table. They have consistently delivered excellent programming. Much of the talent that we have spoken about over the last few weeks has come from the corners of TG4. I hope that in time, when this debacle is put to bed and everything is dealt with, the likes of TG4 and other organisations will actually be strengthened by what has gone on in recent weeks.

My last point is on salaries. In recent weeks, many Deputies and Senators have referred to the potential for capping or linking salaries to some kind of index or comparative field. I understand that as public representatives, our salaries are linked to a certain cohort in the Civil Service. That is something we should perhaps look at into the future when it comes to discussing salaries and so on. Those are just a few thoughts I had on it.

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