Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
3. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has had any communications with RTÉ on the matter of pay discrepancies between workers in Raidió na Gaeltachta and those in English language RTÉ radio stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56968/22]
View answerHas the Minister had any communications with RTÉ on the matter of pay discrepancies between workers in Raidió na Gaeltachta and those in English language RTÉ radio stations, and will she will make a statement on the matter?
Tá sé ríthábhachtach domsa go dtugtar stádas comhionann don Ghaeilge i ngach réimse den saol, ach go háirithe i leith na craoltóireachta, a bhfuil ról ríthábhachtach aici i múnlú fhéiniúlacht agus chultúr na hÉireann.
As the Deputy will recall, this issue of potential pay discrepancies between workers in Raidió na Gaeltachta and their English language counterparts, and the ongoing review by RTÉ of its grading structure, was raised during Committee Stage of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill on 26 October last. I know it is something of which Deputy Munster has been cognisant and has brought to the fore. At that time, if she remembers, I undertook to seek clarification from RTÉ on the issue and to respond to the committee. On foot of this, my officials wrote to RTÉ seeking such clarification, and in response RTÉ has provided further detail on the ongoing review process.
I am informed that the review process involves a detailed and full evaluation of all staff roles and grades, including an assessment of the organisation's skills and requirements as a modern media organisation. I am aware that when the matter was raised with RTÉ by the Committee of Public Accounts earlier this year, at the meeting to which Deputy Munster referred, the director general confirmed that a comparison between Irish language workers and their English language counterparts was not specifically included in the terms of reference for the current process. However, it is designed to enable RTÉ to devise a simplified grading structure with fairness and transparency across all roles, including those in Raidió na Gaeltachta. The process is ongoing and is likely to be concluded in June of next year.
The Deputy will be aware that, in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is independent in the pursuit of its objects, both in terms of editorial decisions and its day-to-day management and operational activities. However, parity of esteem for the Irish language is very important and, therefore, I share the Deputy's concerns to ensure there is no disparity in pay that is purely related to the language through which someone conducts their work. As such, I have written to RTÉ this week asking that it communicates directly with the joint committee to set out how this process could address the committee's concerns about the terms of employment of Irish language workers.
As the Minister said, I have raised this at several committees, including the joint committee with responsibility for media and the Committee of Public Accounts. When I raised the issue at the Committee of Public Accounts, the RTÉ representatives at that time gave a commitment to review the situation. We chased it up with them because we had got no response, and they came back eventually and said that was not happening. While I appreciate the response the Minister got, when I first raised this at the Committee of Public Accounts, it was April 2021, so I suspect they are dragging their heels. The Minister said there is an ongoing review. I would say to the Minister that we need to keep on top of this. It is discrimination, and there is no other way to describe it.
While the Minister respects the independence of RTÉ as a public broadcaster, we certainly will not be turning a blind eye to blatant discrimination, which is what this is. I do not hold much faith in the ongoing review. I think they are giving the same spiel they gave to us in the Committee of Public Accounts, and then when we press them, there is nothing happening at all. We need to keep on top of this and not let them away with this or let them continue that practice.
I share the Deputy’s concern to make sure there is no disparity in pay. That is why, after Committee Stage of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, I committed to the Oireachtas joint committee that we would have follow-up discussions with RTÉ, which my officials did. I have written to RTÉ, with regard to disparity in pay which is purely related to the language through which someone conducts their work, outlining that there must be equality. While those in RTÉ, through the engagement with officials, have provided further detail on the ongoing process, I have asked them to communicate directly with the committee to set out how the process will address the pay disparity. I think we are on the same page in keeping a focus on this.
That is very much appreciated. What I would suggest, and we will do this at committee level, is to request detail and a timeframe from RTÉ. It is funded by the licence payer. A practice of discrimination against Irish language workers is just not tolerable. I want them to prove me wrong but, up until now, they have not given me much faith. The Minister may be able to assist the committee in looking for specific detail as to what stage the review is at, what the review entails specifically in this area to address this pay disparity, and a timeframe in which we can see this discrimination and pay disparity addressed.
Parity of esteem for the Irish language is very important. I have asked RTÉ in my communication with it this week that it communicates directly with the joint committee to set out this process, which I think will address what the Deputy is looking for, and set out how that process could address the committee's concerns about the terms of employment of Irish language workers. I do not wish to pre-empt what further clarity RTÉ might provide but I am more than happy to continue the engagement with RTÉ on this matter.
