RTÉ redundancy packages must match public sector exit schemes, says Donohoe

Minister Paschal Donohoe was speaking at his department after publishing new statutory guidance for public bodies on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 following an amendment. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has said any details of redundancy packages offered to RTÉ staff must be consistent with similar public service exit schemes.

Speaking to reporters today, he said how RTÉ puts together its packages is a matter for the broadcaster, but he would have to see the schemes being proposed.

“What RTÉ has said is that they want to get a reduction in the size of 20% over the next number of years and that they want to do that in a voluntary way.

“How they will do that is mostly a matter for them because I have to recognise the right of a public service employer to decide how they want to manage industrial relations matters themselves.

“But of course, I’d have to have a look at what would be the packages they would be proposing, and make sure they’re consistent with how similar issues have been handled in the public service,” Mr Donohoe said.

No details have been brought to the Government yet on the proposed exit packages at RTÉ, Mr Donohoe said, but he said that he “would want to make sure that what is on offer in one part of our public service is consistent with what has been offered elsewhere”.

When asked if he would veto any enhanced voluntary exit packages being offered to RTÉ staff, he said: “There are certain ways in which these issues are handled across the public service.

“They have to be inside those parameters.

Given the level of change that’s underway in RTÉ and given the fact that I made clear last week that the funding next year is going to be conditional on changes being made, I’d rather look forward to seeing those changes being made than have to talk about vetoing things if they don’t happen."

His comments come following reports that RTÉ bosses are planning to offer golden handshake payments worth up to two years’ salary in a bid to tempt 400 staff to leave.

Minister Donohoe was speaking at his department after publishing new statutory guidance for public bodies on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 following an amendment.

The new guidance builds on the interim guidance published last year and includes template policies for public bodies to adapt and use in developing their internal reporting procedures and for prescribed persons to use in developing their external reporting procedures.

Private sector companies with 50 or more employees must establish internal channels for reporting wrongdoing by December 17, down from a threshold of 250. Minister Donohoe has also signed an Order updating the list of persons prescribed to receive protected disclosures under the Act.

“Ireland has one of the strongest whistleblower protection laws in the world but what really matters is how the legislation operates in practice,” Minister Donohoe said.

“This Statutory guidance is intended to help leaders and managers in the public sector understand their obligations under the legislation and how to go about implementing an effective process for handling protected disclosures in their organisations.” 

He said while the guidance is targeted at the public sector, much of the content is also applicable to the private sector.