RTÉ job cuts debate
Deputies Munster and Bacik sought time to debate leaked RTÉ job-cut plans and the impact on workers.
I am looking for time to be set aside to discuss RTÉ's strategic plan. RTÉ workers heard about job cuts in the region of up to 400 jobs and they heard this from leaks to the media which is shameful in itself. The Government needs to come in and outline its plan for RTÉ. I understand the director general met with staff this morning and the information was quite sparse. Workers are understandably extremely worried about losing their jobs and about the amount of restructuring and how their jobs and work will be affected. I also understand the Minister has had the plan since last week so both the workers and the public need assurances and information about where the Government stands on our public broadcaster.
Comment on this
We in the Labour Party are also looking for time this week to debate the situation in RTÉ in light of the leaked report on job losses. Indeed, our thoughts are with all those workers in RTÉ who have learnt that one in five of them, some 400 workers, may see their jobs cut as part of these proposed cuts. I echo the words of the RTÉ trade union group and the National Union of Journalists in saying that the leak and the plans are a breach of trust. When the legacy of the Government is written, will it be the total gutting of RTÉ? That is what we are looking at. It would be appropriate for us to have a debate in this House as to what the future is for RTÉ, the Government's plans, and what it proposes to do to save our national broadcaster to ensure we have a public service broadcaster. It is so important we see that. That debate should also encompass the issue of workers' rights. This is not just for those facing redundancy in RTÉ. Those who remain on bogus self-employment contracts in RTÉ also deserve some clarity on their future.