Minister rubbishes reports that RTÉ set for job cuts or selloff of assets

Catherine Martin was responding to reports that up to 400 jobs at the State broadcaster could be lost.

The Government does not intend to impose wholesale job cuts upon RTÉ or sell off its' most profitable assets, including 2FM, according to Media Minister Catherine Martin. The Green Party politician insisted that whilst she does want to witness "fundamental change" occur at the State broadcaster, that she will not partake in knee-jerk reactions. Ms. Martin was responding to reports made in the Irish Mail over the weekend which suggested that the Coalition was set to introduce a series of sanctions upon the broadcaster. These allegedly included the cutting of up to 400 jobs and also the selling off of a number of its' most profitable assets. A spokesperson for the Minister added that; "There are no proposals by the minister for staff redundancies or the selling of assets. These, and related issues, would be matters for the RTÉ board, in the first instance". [caption id="attachment_777202" align="alignnone" width="640"] RTÉ officials were grilled by the PAC over the broadcasters finances last week. (Credit: Rolling News)[/caption] RTÉ is now bracing itself for another week in the headlines, with its' financial transgressions set to be further investigated by an Oireachtas media committee on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Cabinet is expected to give its' seal of approval to the appointment of an external auditor to examine the accounts and books at the State broadcaster. Ms. Martin is also set to seek approval to invoke Section 109 (7a) of the Broadcasting Act, which would see the Minister able to appoint her own choice as auditor. Following the grilling of RTÉ officials before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week, there are no further employees set for questioning this week. However, PAC chairman Brian Stanley has said that this matter remains "fluid" and that more RTÉ officials could be brought before the committee on short notice. Remarking on what is needed to remedy the turmoil at the State broadcaster, Stanley said that; "It won't be done with day surgery. This is a major transplant that has to happen here at the top of RTÉ".

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