Vol. 431 No. 7
11 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will introduce legislation to amend the Broadcasting Act in order to provide for elected representatives of RTE employees on the RTE Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am preparing a fundamental review of broadcasting and will examine this issue in that context. Due to the RTE Authority's unique role as custodian, on behalf of the Irish people, of the national broadcasting services, I consider that the current situation, where all members of the Authority are appointed by Government, to be the most appropriate formal arrangement. However, I will examine in my review procedures which might assist, through the nomination of names for consideration.
I should add that it has been a long standing practice that the Government has appointed a member of RTE staff to the Authority, although serving in a personal capacity.
Did the Minister say he is prepared to consider the appointment of representatives of staff to the RTE Authority but not the election of staff? My question asked if he would agree to provide for elected representatives of RTE employees to be appointed. Approximately 11 State companies and 24 State enterprises currently have directors elected from staff. People working in bodies such as RTE, Eolas, Teagasc and so on should have equal rights in this regard. I urge the Minister to consider, before appointing the new Authority in September, introducing an appropriate amendment in the legislation before the House. This should provide for the election of representatives of staff.
I could stand corrected — one must always be careful of the information one places on the record — but the Authority is not due for reappointment in September.
I thought the Minister said in a reply to an earlier question that he hoped to name a new Authority in September.
The new Arts Council will be appointed in September.
The same thing, perhaps.
The Independent Radio and Television Commission comes up for review in November. I am anxious to listen to the view of the Authority and I hope, within a short period, to deal with proposals, which I believe are agreed across the House, on gender equality in these bodies. However, the Authority is an authority as opposed to a semi-State company. I wish to explain briefly that part of my reply which might have confused the Deputy. I was indicating that in the review I will seek a mechanism. One possibility for consideration was that people, for example, hold an election and put forward a name for nomination. However, I will review this matter. The point is well taken that if there is to be dynamism and creativity in a large organisation such as RTE, its workers should be represented. While distinguished people have been chosen to serve on the Authority, I am not sure that that is the only way of selecting people. I intend to consider the matter further.
