Sir, – For years now the non-RTÉ media have been telling us that the stars of the State broadcaster were overpaid. “Where else could they go?” was the oft-voiced argument for lowering their pay. After the news about Pat Kenny, it seems now that the answer was a simple one – they could go to Newstalk and other commercial rivals.
Therefore, could the whole campaign to undermine the salaries of RTÉ’s star performers have been nothing more than a subtle way of poaching the best talent at the semi-State body? Or am I being too cynical? – Yours, etc,
JOHN COTTER,
Abbey Drive,
Ferrybank, Waterford.
A chara, – Jim Jennings, acting MD of RTÉ Radio, “rejects the notion that audiences tune in to listen to specific ‘presenter talent’ such as (Pat) Kenny or Marian Finucane” (News Agenda, August 2nd).
What then, I wish Mr Jennings would tell us, is the justification for the huge salaries that RTÉ has paid to its “top” presenters in the past and which it continues to pay to Ms Finucane? – Is mise,
DECLAN HARMON,
Whitethorn Crescent,
Palmerstown, Dublin 20.
Sir, – Congratulations to Pat Kenny. Other than the achievement by leaving RTÉ and joining Newstalk of simultaneously increasing the financial viability of two small broadcasting stations in Europe, I don't see any coverage warranted in a newspaper such as The Irish Times. – Yours, etc,
ULTAN Ó BROIN,
Plaza Independencia,
Montevideo, Uruguay.
Sir, – Why all the fuss? Don’t we all know,as the poet Saxon White Kessinger says, “There is no indispensable man”! – Yours, etc,
DORIS RUSK,
Hill of Rath,
Drogheda, Co Louth.