‘It is wrong’ – Ceann Comhairle urged to meet Oireachtas broadcast staff working on ‘contract basis’

In a letter, party whip Paul McAuliffe suggested she meet the Oireachtas staff who manage broadcasts of Dáil, Seanad and committee proceedings as soon as possible to resolve their grievances.

He said he was writing on behalf of Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members in relation to the workers’ pay and conditions and an upcoming contract review for their employer, PI Communications.

Political pressure has ramped up for the workers who claim some earn around €12,000 a year and have no income during summer and Christmas breaks.

In the letter sent on June 17, Mr McAuliffe said members of the Dáil were asked to sign a petition to support this group of “essential workers”.

“It seems extraordinary that this group are only employed on a contract basis,” he said.

“It is not as if their work is temporary as it is through their good work that all of the Dáil’s deliberations, debate and discussions get communicated to all of the public.

“This is crucial work for every elected representative and goes to the core of our democracy.”

He said it is crucial and “only fair” that their grievances are addressed as soon as possible.

Mr McAuliffe told the Irish Independent it is up to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to make a decision, as it tenders for the service, and the ceann comhairle is the chair.

“I believe it is wrong that these staff are not on the same terms as other who contribute to the parliamentary community, including ushers and catering staff,” he said.

A PI Comms spokesperson said it provides a range of video and streaming services to public and private sector organisations of which the Houses of the Oireachtas is one.

He said the company is contracted on a pay per public minute model for coverage of live proceedings and can only bill for broadcasts that are capable of public transmission.

The spokesperson said all part-time employees in this group have a guaranteed entitlement to a fixed amount of work each full sitting week, certainty of income for their contracted work, and are free to work on other projects or for other employers.

He said they earn substantially more than the national living wage, with attractive bonus arrangements, and get paid leave and sick pay.

They are eligible to enrol in pension schemes, have collective agreements that are recognised, and are provided with training and other staff benefits, he added.

“Furthermore, all salaries and payments are regularly benchmarked and are commensurate with roles, skills, experience and responsibilities,” he said.

He said the company is currently engaged in trade union negotiations with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission.

“We operate in a very competitive sector and are immensely proud of both the service and value we provide our clients and the access, opportunity and supports we provide to our valued staff, many of whom are also engaged in roles for other employers,” he said.

“We are surprised and disappointed that some who have commented on our operations did not first fact-check the accuracy and veracity of ill-founded claims.”