Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sinn Féin TD John Brady, has warned that an Oireachtas broadcast crisis looms and expressed serious concern over the treatment of broadcasting workers, after it was confirmed to PAC following his request, that no arrangements are currently in place for the continuation of the service after December 31st 2025.
Teachta Brady said:
“While we already knew that no responses were received to the Request for Tender issued by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission by the closing date of October 10th 2025, it has now been confirmed to PAC, after my request for an update, that no arrangements are in place beyond the current broadcasting contract that runs to December 31st 2025.
“It was also confirmed that the Commission is actively engaging with the current contractor, Pi Communications, the company that has been providing footage of Oireachtas events for 15 years, to agree an extension to the contract for a 12-month period.
“This leaves just a two-week window over the Christmas period for an agreement to be reached, all the while, the broadcasting workers wait in limbo.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that these workers are once again forced to sign on for social welfare when the Oireachtas breaks for Christmas, as happens every time the Oireachtas is in recess, and even more disgraceful that they now face the added uncertainty of not knowing whether they will have jobs to return to in January.
“In speaking to a number of the workers involved, they have received absolutely no update in relation to this process from either the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission or Pi Communications.
“This is a shocking way to treat people who play a vital role in the functioning of our democracy. Without them, the public would not have access to live proceedings of the Dáil and Seanad.
“As Chair of PAC, I have previously highlighted the poor conditions under which these workers operate – paid a pittance, denied employment protections, and forced to rely on social welfare when the Oireachtas is not sitting.
“There can be no justification for a publicly funded body facilitating or turning a blind eye to this type of insecure work, and it must not be repeated in this potential 12-month extension or in any future arrangements.
“In their correspondence, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission also confirmed that they are undertaking a review of the unsuccessful tendering process and the service delivery model.
“They state that a High-Level Working Group has been set up to oversee an examination of the unsuccessful tendering process, the broadcasting service delivery model, and the long-term strategic direction for the Broadcasting Unit and Oireachtas TV.
“An Expert Working Group composed of national and international experts in broadcasting, including parliamentary broadcasting, has also been established.
“We need the full details with regard to who is in each of these groups and a clear outline of the terms of reference, particularly a commitment that improving working conditions will be a key focus of the review.
“PAC will continue to pursue these matters.”
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