Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Gibney for her work on this matter on the committee. To add to the point she made, the IT project at RTÉ, which I believe was discussed at the media committee, came to light after the Minister wrote to agencies asking them whether they had anything they wished to tell about the wastage of public money. Deputy Gibney’s point in general about being transparent and up-front would certainly be extremely helpful, particularly when RTÉ has gone through such a difficult period of time. As Deputy Gibney said, it is the ordinary, decent staff out there who are working hard and want to see this organisation go to where it needs to be. The taxpayer, the Government and the people of Ireland have rightly decided to support public service broadcasting. We have provided a way forward. In return for that, we need to see real delivery and a reform plan. A key part of that must include transparency and interacting in a very open way with Oireachtas committees.

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