Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has expressed his anger at the possible sale of RTE’s Cork studios and called on management to be transparent.
The Cork TD told the Irish Mirror that RTE need to remember they run a national service and not merely a Dublin service.
He said: “I would be very angry about it and it would be against the policy of developing the regions.
“It’s not something that could be accepted and I’d be very strongly opposed to it.
“I think there should always be proper communication with your staff.
“I don’t see the point in selling the building, selling the building only gives you a once off windfall you still have to house people.
“I am calling on RTE to publish the review in relation to the overall proposals that they have.
“RTE has to remember that it’s a national service, it’s not a Dublin service.”
Mr Martin was reacting to reports that RTE chiefs could sell the Cork building as they try tackle their financial crisis.
Director General Dee Forbes has said the national broadcaster’s “current financial situation is not like anything we have seen before.”
Possible pay cuts and staff lay-offs are causing worry among staff as long term workers question if they may have to move to Montrose for work.
The boss of RTE Cork, Colm Crowley, has moved to reassure staff that nothing has been confirmed yet.
In a statement issued to The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s RedFM, Mr Crowley said: “I would stress that no decision has been made about RTE Cork or any other part of RTE as the Organizational review is ongoing and is expected to be completed by October.
“There are approximately 30 staff at RTE Cork and it varies throughout the year depending on which shows are in production, as some of these people will be freelance.”
And he added that successful programmes including John Creedon’s shows, Nationwide and the Today Show with Maura and Daithi “is very much central to RTE’s overall mission.”
Mr Martin said he recognises that RTE is struggling financially but selling the property would be a loss in a number of ways.
He said: “They would end up leasing somewhere else in due course and that would add to the current costs.
“It’s not a sustainable answer. A sustainable revenue model has to be developed.
“Cork has already lost the mailing centre from An Post and the loss of jobs as a result of that.
“And losing the RTE studios would be a significant blow to the city.
“Public service broadcasting is critically important and the Dail has made recommendations to government and they should act on those.
“I accept RTE is in significant financial difficulties, I’ve no question about that.”
