TDs and senators question if €7m Dáil broadcasting contract is value for money
Oireachtas
proceedings, with questions around its value for money.
In a letter to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, which runs Leinster House, the public representatives, including Minister of State
Jerry Buttimer
, said there is a 'compelling case' for the commission to directly employ the 10 full-time and 20 part-time professional broadcast workers providing the coverage, 'given the extremely concerning working conditions and pay issues'.
They allege 'precarious and uncertain working hours, withdrawal of pay during Oireachtas recess periods – including Christmas – lack of pension entitlements, pay that is significantly below the industry norm, lack of any retainer payment and a culture of criticism from management'.
'These workers are left to rely on social welfare for periods when the Oireachtas is not in session.'
READ MORE
The letter also says 'it is difficult to see what a contract with a private company adds to the services they provide given that all the skilled work is carried out by these workers and their equipment is provided by the Oireachtas itself'.
The first five-year contract was issued in 2011 for €7 million. TDs and senators are attempting to establish the current value of the contract 'and how this money is spent'.
Pi Communications, the current contractor, which provides a similar service to the
Northern Ireland Assembly
, has said the contract operates on a 'pay per public minute model'. Based on the 2011 contract, this meant €250 an hour for each hour of broadcast, as well as an overall contract fee.
The employees broadcast the live feeds of the Dáil, Seanad and committees. They also oversee the archiving of all feeds.
The company said the workers have a guaranteed fixed amount of work 'each full sitting week', with 'certainty of income for their contracted work'.
However, one employee, who did not want to be named, said most of the employees are on 'casual part-time contracts' with 'only one day a week guaranteed, which is very precarious'. Some workers have no guaranteed days and are only brought in occasionally, the employee said.
In response, Pi Communications said: 'We are surprised and disappointed that some who have commented on our operations did not first fact-check the accuracy and veracity of ill-founded claims.'
The company said the employees earn substantially more than the national living wage, with attractive bonus arrangements and receive paid leave and sick leave.
Employees 'are free to work on other projects or for other employers, as is the norm in our industry'. It said salaries are regularly benchmarked and commensurate with roles, skills, experience and responsibilities.
Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, who co-ordinated the TDs. and senators' letter, said public representatives question 'the value for money' the contract provides. They believe it would be cheaper for the Oireachtas to pay the workers directly. He said the 'only overheads in the contract would seem to be the employees' pay', as the equipment is supplied by the Oireachtas.
The issue has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee and to the Oireachtas Media Committee.
The letter says the contract is due for renewal this year. It adds that any review should include an in-depth investigation into the issues raised by the broadcast workers, which they have previously attempted to resolve through industrial relations mechanisms.
Included in the group of 125 calling for the review is Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats acting leader Cian O'Callaghan, and former journalists Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael) and Alison Comyn (Fianna Fáil), both of whom are senators.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has said the workers and Pi Communications are in dialogue at the Workplace Relations Commission and it would not be appropriate 'to undermine the industrial relations process'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Six restaurants where you can find especially good value in Ireland
Achara 14-18 Aston Quay, Dublin 2; 089-9477910, Achara, on Dublin's Aston Quay. Photograph: Fran Veale Walking from the busy Dublin quays into the diningroom at Achara , gently fragranced with the smell of grilled meats, is like being briefly transported far away. Chef Graeme Reynolds pulls no punches, delivering authentic Thai flavours such as chicken wings in fish sauce caramel, Wagyu basil chilli beef krapao and XO mushroom larb. Check out the €15 weekday lunch menu for some of the best value in town. Joanne Cronin Dining Room Bridge Street, Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar, Co Mayo; 09-49021861, Dining Room, Castlebar - 'thoroughly composed'. Photograph: Michael McLaughlin Dining Room in Castlebar has been quietly serving one of the best-value prix fixe menus in the country since 2016: €42 or €59 gets you three courses and a sorbet – brown soda bread, scallops with Kelly's black pudding, Hereford sirloin with gratin dauphinoise, and a sticky toffee pudding that justifies the drive. Service is calm, the room is dark wood and Prussian blue, and every plate feels thoroughly composed. Corinna Hardgrave L'Atitude 51 1 Union Quay, Cork; 021-2390219, L'Atitude 51 wine bar, Cork. Photograph: Joleen Cronin The mark of a great wine bar is shown in how they share their enthusiasm for wine with their customers, and the charming L'Atitude 51 leads the way when it comes to a calendar packed with wine tastings and food and wine pairing events. The food menu is designed for sharing, with simplicity and quality shining through. Try Macroom burrata with olive oil, radishes with anchoïade or haddock and mussel croquettes, and of course, some magnificent wines. JC Richmond 43 Richmond Street South, Portobello, Dublin 2; 01-4788783, Richmond restaurant on Richmond Street South, Dublin. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell In a bustling neighbourhood, this spot still delivers a solid early evening menu – two/three courses for €42/€52 – proving that early bird doesn't have to be bland. David O'Byrne, with his Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2018, keeps the menu fresh with creative dishes like grilled sea bass with orange and kohlrabi or pan-seared halibut with fennel, shellfish, and chorizo barley broth. A five-course tasting menu is also available on the first Tuesday of each month for €72. CH READ MORE The Fish Box Green Street, Dingle, Co Kerry; 087-6027866, Fish and chips at The Fish Box in Dingle It's all systems go in Dingle for the Flannery family who have increased the number of seats at The Fish Box as well as moving the takeaway to Paddy Bawn Brosnan's. New this summer is Fish Outside of the Box, offering lobster, crab and prawn rolls along with cocktails, wine and beer. With fish direct from their own fishing vessel and commitment to a sustainable supply chain, it's among the country's top seafood spots. JC Volpe Nera 22 Newtown Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin; 01-2788516, Volpe Nera restaurant in Blackrock, Co Dublin Darren D'Arcy always has a perfect bottle of wine on hand to match the dishes that flow from Barry Sun's kitchen. It's no easy task, given Barry's broad range of skill and flavours. Think Flaggy Shore oysters with a dab of home-made chilli oil, his signature mushroom dumplings, BBQ brill for two or a classic rum baba with strawberries. It's worth noting that the evening neighbourhood menu offers seriously good value. JC [ This just might be the best-value restaurant menu in the country Opens in new window ]
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
New customers to receive cash instead of energy credits in household benefit scheme
A row has broken out between the Government and the representative body for the electricity industry and gas retail sector over the former's decision to replace energy credits with cash, for new customers, in the Household Benefits Package . From September, new applicants to the scheme will no longer be able to avail of a €35 monthly credit towards their electricity or gas bill, but will instead receive the payment into a nominated bank or post office account. Existing customers can continue to receive the credit unless they seek to change supplier. The Government said the move ensures no provider has 'a perceived advantage over competitors' in the market. However, the Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI) said the credit should be made available to customers of more companies, rather than scrapping it. [ Ending of electricity credits will bite hard this winter Opens in new window ] All people over the age of 70 can apply for the benefits package, while younger people may also be eligible but additional rules apply . Under the scheme, people have the option to put a credit towards their electricity or gas bill, but only if they are customers of Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy or Flogas. READ MORE There are 12 electricity and seven gas suppliers in the domestic market. The Department of Social Protection confirmed all new applicants to the Household Benefits Package will receive a monetary payment towards their energy bill, rather than a credit. 'The decision to remove the credit option for new customers has been taken following an examination of customer behaviour and trends over several years,' said a spokeswoman. 'An increasing number of new customers are opting for the cash option even where the credit option is available. Any existing customers using the credit facility at present can maintain that method of payment.' The spokeswoman said the removal of the credit option for new customers also ensures 'no supplier would have a perceived advantage over competitors in the domestic energy market'. EAI chief executive Dara Lynott has accused the Government of 'going for the easier option' instead of implementing targeted measures that would better help people enduring energy poverty. 'If you're intent on targeting customers who need help with energy, and you want to be guaranteed that it gets to the right people, then credits are the way to go,' said Mr Lynott. He said many people who receive the cash will have 'other pressing bills' and may opt not to put the money towards their energy costs. 'They may need petrol for the car and the house still goes cold – so you still have people in energy poverty, even after you've given cash.' Mr Lynott said targeted, long-term measures need to be implemented to help people, rather than universal payments. Figures released to Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan in late July showed that 301,000 households are now in arrears on their electricity bills. [ Households unlikely to receive energy credits and other once-off payments next winter Opens in new window ] From April 2022 until February 2025, households received nine electricity credits worth €1,500 – costing almost €3 billion. However, the Government has ruled out such credits in the forthcoming budget, instead saying it will implement other measures to support households. A Department of Energy spokesperson said the Government is 'keenly aware that energy has been a big driver of costs across the economy, and that price rises over the past number of years impacted almost all householders and businesses'. The Government has established a National Energy Affordability Taskforce to 'identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability'.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Student fees: Minister gets barrage of complaints after suggesting €1,000 cut may not happen
More than 120 complaints were sent to Minister for Higher Education James Lawless after he signalled that cuts to third level fees seen in recent budgets may not happen this year. The Fianna Fáil politician suggested in a radio interview that a €1,000 cut to the €3,000 fee might not be repeated in Budget 2026 due to once-off cost of living measures being dropped due to to economic uncertainty. There was a public backlash after his remarks as well as division in the Coalition, with Fine Gael members angry about the controversy the issue generated for the Government. Records released by the Department of Further and Higher Education in response to a Freedom of Information request show some 125 complaints were sent on to Mr Lawless between June 29th and July 9th. READ MORE Of these, 35 were sent to Fine Gael politicians before they were forwarded to Mr Lawless. Thirty-three complaints were sent on to the Minister by the office of Tánaiste Simon Harris , a former minister for higher education. A further 23 complaints were sent on to Mr Lawless after they were received by Fianna Fáil politicians. During an interview on RTÉ radio on June 29th, Mr Lawless was asked about cuts in student fees. He replied: 'All of us in any walk of life play the hands we're dealt. If I don't have a cost of living package, I can't do those kind of measures that were done last year.' He pointed out other supports available and said he did 'absolutely intend to wind down the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government'. [ Third level fees row looks set to rumble on for a while Opens in new window ] More than 120 complaints were sent to Minister for Higher Education James Lawless following the comments. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times Many of the parents and students who complained wrote directly to Mr Lawless. One parent asked for the fee to be kept at €2,000. 'I do strongly feel that we are the squeezed middle in society, that work hard, pay [our] contributions and get on with things. But we are far from financially secure.' A student working to fund their education wrote that they were 'quite outraged' and that a return to higher fees 'may mean that I will not be able to enter my third year'. Student nurses were among those who sent some co-ordinated complaints. Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha wrote that the 'mooted increase will have a detrimental impact on student nurses and midwives'. One of the complaints sent on to Mr Lawless by Mr Harris's office was from a parent with two children in third level education. 'Dear Mr Harris, I would like to tell you about my home tonight. My 21-year-old daughter started crying and apologised for the cost to us to send her to college,' they wrote. A complaint sent on to Mr Lawless from Taoiseach Micheál Martin's office was from a parent who said fee reductions of recent years had 'helped enormously to reduce the financial burden on our family'. Of the possible return to €3,000 fees, they said: 'I think Fianna Fáil has taken its eye off the ball.' A spokesman for Mr Lawless said the Minister was 'acutely aware of the financial pressures facing students and families' and he was 'currently reviewing pre-budget submissions'. He said Mr Lawless will enter budget negotiations 'seeking the strongest possible package of student supports, with a particular focus on those most in need, while also securing sustainable, permanent reforms rather than one-year interventions'. He also said Mr Lawless would be 'fighting hard for measures that reduce the cost of education'. The spokesman added that the Minister extended thanks to correspondents and he has offered to review 'individual cases to understand why they were not already availing of supports given that the current income threshold is at a historic high of €115,000. This means the majority of families in the State are now eligible for support.' A spokeswoman for the Taoiseach said: 'Government will be examining ways to support those in third level education in the upcoming budget. Matters related to the Budget will be negotiated over the coming weeks.'
