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THE BRITISH-IRISH Parliamentary Assembly has called on both governments to support the case for retaining RTÉ’s London correspondent.
The broadcaster recently announced it will close its London bureau later this year as part of wider efforts to cut costs.
In a statement after today’s meeting, the Assembly issued a statement saying it had noted “with concern” RTÉ’s plan to close its London bureau from September 2012.
The bureau and its staff have an “illustrious record of service” in informing viewers about British economic, political and cultural life, as well as contributing “to the peaceful resolution of conflict” and promotion of relations between Britain and Ireland.
“”While recognising the drastic fall of broadcasting revenue at a time of economic crisis;
Although acknowledging the impact of the financial crisis on broadcasting revenue, the Assembly said it ”notes the concerns of the Irish community in Britain for the long-term consequences of not having an RTÉ correspondent in Britain”.
The Assembly called on the governments of Britain and Ireland “to support the case for the retention of the RTÉ London correspondent and assist in the search for alternatives to closure”.
Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte recently projected that RTÉ’s deficit would hit €50 million by the end of this year, “of which the great preponderance is in the redundancy programme”. He said that he had been assured by the broadcaster that the closure of the London office would not affect the quality of its coverage.
“I am advised by the professional people in RTÉ that between Belfast, Brussels and Dublin, in an era of digital technology, it is possible to ensure the quality of presentation from London does not suffer,” he said.
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Good on ya RTE, cut an area that has a purpose. Brendan O Conner on the other hand, he serves no purpose.
They could save some money by not having a journalist talk outside Leinster house at 6pm every night despite it being closed he could do this in a studio I think
If I want news reports without all the crap, I would watch Vincent Browne on TV3. RTE going downhill
Would miss Brian O’Connells dulcet tones :(
They have concerns of the Irish community in Britain for the long-term consequences of not having an RTÉ correspondent in Britain”. We dont get RTE/ News in London/UK.
Love Brian O’Connell, great reporter, easy on the eye too!!!
Everyone has had to face cut backs ! Rte have seemed to get away with it til now ! Altho the programming has taken a dive . Maybe if the over paid stuffed shirts in RTE felt that bad for their colleague ,they could take a pay cut to facilitate him being kept on….. It is not for any one tolose their job , BUT !!!
Ah sher, RTÉ might as well wait ’til the Olympics is over anyway!
RTE can cut HUGE costs by getting rid of contractors such as Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny. Marian Finucane, Ryan Tubridy, Ronan Collins, Joe Duffy etc and actually employing people.
It is absolutely stunning that a state body drawing revenue from advertising AND television licensing (the only organisation in the world to do that) could be so heavily in debt. They dont even make anything worthwhile! Are they over-budget purely on syndication purchases and wage payments to the useless overpaid muppets that blight our tv and radio? Nearly every one of RTE’s top earners is, in my opinion, grossly incompetent and should have their wages slashed firstly, and replaced in the long run.
If RTE scrambles back , I wish they would take a page from Britain and America by producing even a small amount of decent scripted shows and hiring 1 host with a semblance of personality… I won’t hold my breath though.
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