Discussions are under way to ensure Oireachtas broadcasting will continue uninterrupted next year after no responses were received to a tender for a new five-year contract.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is in negotiations with current contractor Pi Comms to provide a caretaker service for the next year. The company’s contract for broadcasting the Dáil, Seanad and committees finishes on December 31st.
Pi Comms did not tender for a new contract and the commission confirmed in correspondence to the Public Accounts Committee that it had received no responses to its tender by the October 10th deadline.
Controversy erupted earlier in the year after it emerged some 13 members of the Oireachtas broadcasting unit had to sign on the dole when the Houses went into recess.
RM Block
More than 160 TDs and Senators signed a letter, citing a “compelling case” for the Oireachtas to directly employ the broadcast unit “given the extremely concerning working conditions and pay issues”.
They called for a value-for-money review of the contract.
The commission said it had established a high-level working group. This will oversee an “examination of the unsuccessful tendering process, the broadcasting service delivery model, and the long-term strategic direction of the broadcasting unit and Oireachtas TV in the context of wider changes in technology and the Government structure for public service broadcaster”.
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A separate expert working group “comprising national and international experts in broadcasting including parliamentary broadcasting” has been established to undertake research including looking at other parliaments’ operations. It held its first meeting on December 8th.
This group will provide “clear recommendations to the high-level working group on the future structure of the Oireachtas broadcasting unit and Oireachtas TV”, the commission said in a letter signed by Clerk of the Dáil Elaine Gunn.
Ms Gunn said “the current contractor has indicated their commitment to supporting continuity of service during the review period and this is acknowledged and welcomed”.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee John Brady said “we have workers who are going to be finishing up tomorrow (Thursday) when the Dáil goes into recess. Not alone will they not be paid over Christmas ... they don’t know if they have a job to come back to after the Christmas recess. That is completely unsatisfactory.”
Mr Brady said he would be asking for the terms of reference of that review “and it’s critical that all options are considered” including turning broadcast workers’ jobs into directly employed Civil Service roles.
A spokesman for the broadcast unit said “we’re unsure of the future of our jobs from tomorrow. We have no rights, no pay, no certainty.”
Pi Comms has consistently said “the rates of pay of all part-time staff supporting this contract are regularly benchmarked against industry norms and their total earnings are proportionate to the overall work undertaken throughout the year.
“All staff have pension entitlements, receive sick leave and sick pay. They are also free to work on other projects or for other employers and most do.”
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