Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2012

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Ceisteanna (116)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No 988 on 18 September 2012, if he will confirm that Radio Telefís Éireann did in fact incur a cost of €49.701m in 2011 for pension liabilities as set out in the RTÉ Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, which contributed to a total recognised expense for 2011 of €68.799m; if he will explain the detail of this cost of €49.701m [40897/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs including in relation to pension matters. These are purely matters for RTÉ management. I can confirm the Deputy’s interpretation of the statement on pension liabilities as set out in the RTÉ Annual Report and Group Financial Statements referred to in the Deputy’s question. The breakdown of this amount is a matter, in the first instance, for RTÉ and I will ask the company to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue subject, of course, to any requirements regarding commercial confidentiality that may apply.