Retention of long wave should take priority over high profile presenters – O’Mahony

“RTÉ plans to close its long wave service in January to save the €250,000 annual running cost but finds €500,000 to pay Ray D’Arcy. In my opinion this flies in the face of true public service broadcasting” says John O’Mahony, Fine Gael TD for Mayo.

“RTÉ have not disclosed the exact amount to be paid to the high profile broadcaster, Ray D’Arcy. There are reports that the sum is as large as €500,000. We won’t know exactly until 2017, but suffice it to say that each year Ray D’Arcy will be earning more than it costs to run the long wave service, a service that benefits thousands of Irish people living abroad.

“This Government has appointed a Minister for the Diaspora and at the same time one of the main state agencies is planning to cut off our diaspora. I find this not only ironic but unfair and unacceptable.

“In October the scheduled closure was pushed out to January 2015. I am now calling on RTÉ to reverse their decision and to continue the service for the benefit of the thousands of Irish people living in the UK.

“There are over 400,000 first-generation alone living in Britan. Older people in particular rely on long wave to keep in touch with news and current affairs in Ireland. Many Irish emigrants use long wave to listen to GAA matches from home, and for some it is their last connection with Ireland.

“I think a bit of perspective is needed here. What is more important; that colossal salaries are paid to individual presenters or that funding is directed towards providing a service for thousands of people who have been loyal RTÉ listeners all their lives?”