Real change will only occur under the following circumstances: firstly, there needs to be a change in personnel within Media Minister Catherine Martin’s department, particularly those responsible for overseeing RTÉ. A new board of directors, who have a strong understanding of corporate governance, should be selected. Additionally, a new senior management team from outside the organization, who make decisions based on majority rule, should be appointed.
Furthermore, an organizational restructure is necessary. This should involve closing down the commercial division and placing a cap on all staff salaries and perks at €175,000. When renewing contracts for so-called “talent,” these individuals should be transitioned to become employees, thus banning all third-party income sources. Additionally, the expensive real estate at Montrose should be sold and replaced with a more cost-effective green-field site in west Dublin. Lastly, operations should be streamlined to focus primarily on public broadcasting.
By selling Montrose, significant funding would become available to finance RTÉ’s reduced operations for several years without relying on taxpayers’ assistance. With streamlined operations, the license fee could be reduced to approximately €100. Furthermore, it is crucial for Ms. Martin to publish all internal and external reports on RTÉ finances over the past 25 years, allowing the public to see if any of the recommendations were actually implemented by RTÉ management. Only then will the public potentially regain confidence in RTÉ.
C Bailey
Dundrum, Co Dublin
We’ve witnessed enough twists and turns, and now it’s time for an abrupt end to this RTÉ scandal. I can’t help but think of an Alfred Hitchcock-style script that would conclude this debacle. Alfred Hitchcock was known for his film-making style, which often included unexpected twists and abrupt endings. This deliberate approach kept the audience on the edge of their seats and heightened the overall suspense of the film. Hitchcock believed that abrupt endings were more realistic, mirroring life’s unpredictability and lack of tidy resolutions.
FG Ryan
Waterford city
Are barter accounts the next big thing, or have we reached a point where they are no longer viable? Many years ago, RTÉ ran an advertisement about tracker mortgages. It featured a man sitting on a crowded bus, unsure of what a tracker mortgage was. I wonder if they will now create a similar advert with a man saying, “I don’t know what a barter account is,” while sitting on a Renault bus.
Richard Whitty
Swords, Co Dublin
The national broadcaster is in disarray as the truth is finally unveiled. We had “Reeling in the Years” on RTÉ, and now we are left reeling from the truth.
Colm O Fatharta
Dublin 6
GAAGO leaves older fans with limited technological skills at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing matches. I find it extremely unfair that customers, particularly the older generation, are charged to watch the later stages of football competitions. Many seniors may struggle to adapt to new technologies and may also have limited financial resources. This means they might miss out on watching their county compete in the All-Ireland semi-finals. It is scandalous to ask three Northern counties to pay for watching their teams in the quarter-finals while Dublin fans can watch their team the following day for free. This situation would surely upset Micheál O’Hehir, who would be disappointed with what has become of our beloved national sport.
Seán McPhillips
College Point, New York
The burning of effigies, specifically the act of burning Irish flags and posters of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on loyalist bonfires, should be recognized as an act of racism. We have witnessed this sectarian practice in parts of Northern Ireland, where it has become a global cultural phenomenon. These bonfires often resemble vast funeral pyres and feature nationalist and republican effigies of elected figures, mainly representing Catholics. While it is claimed that these bonfires are inclusive celebrations of loyalist culture, they fail to respect the thousands who vote for the politicians whose images and symbols are consumed in these fires. If representatives of Jewish, Muslim, or black communities were depicted in such a manner, it would be rightly considered racist. Therefore, it is unacceptable for nationalist and Alliance Party representatives to be treated differently. In the context of an explicitly Protestant celebration, this behavior is sectarian. It is worth noting that many grand officers of the Orange Order are also ministers in the Church of Ireland. It is perplexing that the Orange Order and the Church of Ireland have not addressed this matter. One would hope that ordinary members of these organizations would openly protest against this scandalous and divisive act.
Tom Cooper
Templeogue, Dublin
Struggling households require lower bills, not excuses from the minister. In recent remarks, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan tried to deceive the electorate again. He claimed that energy prices remain high because the energy suppliers “bought forward.” However, this excuse falls flat when we consider the multiple price hikes that occurred last year. If the “bought forward” excuse were valid, prices should not have increased during the same period when they are now remaining high. This inconsistency has resulted in massive profits for energy suppliers, significant bonuses for CEOs, and substantial price increases for households already struggling to make ends meet. The energy suppliers cannot have it both ways.
Martin Heneghan
Dublin 3
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