Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a real need to invite the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to come to the House to discuss what is happening in RTE. I know that a briefing is to take place today and understand we could see up to 300 job losses at the State broadcaster. Questions must be asked about the sustainability of the organisation and the investment needed. I become very concerned when I hear of job losses of that level. One must worry about the structures of the organisation in the context of the director general's remarks to the effect that the losses incurred last year were the result of the "unforeseen" general election. It is my understanding general elections take place every five years. The fact that Ms Forbes said the general election in 2016 was unforeseen leads one to question her capability. We must also examine salary levels in RTE. Approximately €2.6 million is being spent on the top ten earners and we must ask if the money could be better spent.

The Minister must also come to the House to discuss the issue in the context of the housing crisis, particularly in Dublin. We cannot operate in silos. The land at Montrose is State-owned. There is talk of building 500 housing units on the 8.5 acres of land RTE is proposing to sell, but only 10% would be social housing units. The State broadcaster certainly needs further investment, but the city also needs housing units. We need social and affordable housing units, as well as affordable rental units. On lands owned by Dublin City Council there is a 50:50 carve up, with 50% being market units and the other 50% split between social and affordable housing units and affordable rental units on a ratio of 3:2. We need to look at a similar model for the site at Montrose. We cannot have the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government operating in one silo and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment operating in another. We need an additional housing supply across the spectrum in Dublin city. The Minister must come into the House to discuss the future sustainability of RTE and how it is financed, as well as the sale of State lands and how they should be used for the betterment of society in general. The proceeds should not just be reinvested in the structures of RTE.

Concern has been expressed about the high avoidance rate of the television licence fee, which stands at over 13%. Questions must be asked about An Post and whether it is actually doing its job in collecting licence fee income. Will the Leader invite the Minister to come to the House as a matter of urgency to discuss all of these issues?