Dail Report: Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey said the Dáil could consider a possible conflict of interest where radio personalities had an association with commercial companies.
This could be done during the debate on the Broadcasting Bill, which is to be published before the end of the year, he said.
"I believe that anybody involved in public life, and particularly who is paid by the State and has public service obligations, their affairs, in so far as they relate to the work they are doing, should be as open to public scrutiny as is possible."
The Minister was replying to Tommy Broughan, Labour spokesman on communications, who said there was concern among "viewers and listeners relating to reports of the supply to and free use of cars and other benefits by broadcasters engaged in current and public affairs, and the massive salaries enjoyed by these broadcasters, often through their own companies, which subcontract their services to the national and other broadcasters".
Mr Broughan said that reports showed that "distinguished broadcasters such as Pat Kenny and Gerry Ryan earn upwards of €600,000 per annum and Ryan Tubridy earns upwards of €300,000 per annum".
"A number of other broadcasters and newscasters also earn very high salaries.
"What are described as high-profile newshounds on various news stations are also equally well remunerated," he said.
It was also concerning that there were reports of free luxury cars being given to broadcasters.
"It was reported, for example, that Mr Tubridy has the use of a Lexus IS200, that Mr Pat Kenny has the use of a BMW or has a relationship with BMW, Mr Gerry Ryan has a relationship with the Mazda company and Ms Gráinne Seoige, of Sky News Ireland, has an association with Audi."
Mr Broughan said the interests of commercial news broadcasters and people involved in the public domain of broadcasting, who commented on national and international issues, should be publicly known.
"Listening to a current affairs programme last night - a programme I was on a few nights previously - I found it jarring that a publication of the presenter was advertised in the middle of his programme. Is that an area we need to examine?"
This was a reference to the Tonight with Vincent Browne radio programme on RTÉ.
Mr Broughan said the same level of transparency that applied to members of the House should also apply to "distinguished print journalists" commenting on public affairs.
Mr Dempsey said there was a distinction between staff and contract employees in RTÉ. "I have to say nobody has brought to my attention the fact that anybody has abused their position in that respect."
He thought there was one incident recently where somebody was thought to be in a conflict-of- interest situation. "But I would be willing, in the course of the Broadcasting Act, to discuss the matter with Deputy Broughan."
He said it was not a simple black and white issue, adding that there should be consideration of the types of journalists or broadcasters to whom it should apply. It should be considered whether the same standards would apply to a light current affairs programme as would apply to a heavy news programme, he said.
