Unparalled Heroism in RTE

Very distressing news today, I'm afraid. It looks like pay cuts are coming to RTE. (Irish Times)

I know the cynics and begrudgers — and you know who you are! — will say many of RTÉ's brightest stars are paid too much. But Pat Kenny, (known affectionately as "The Plank" by his many, many admirers), Gerry Ryan, Ryan Turdity and many others have fearlessly stood up to the government during the boom to demand why our money was being squandered. They have done so at tremendous personal risk to themselves and their professional reputations.

While newspapers around the country were gorging themselves on advertising revenues from property advertising, RTÉ was holding down pay costs of its brightest stars and putting money aside for a rainy day! Did you ever see RTÉ induldge in "property porn" type shows? No, they were all very tastefully done. They were more like nude art, for crying out loud!

Unfortunately, the downturn has been so severe that even the far-sighted management at RTÉ has been caught. RTÉ's brightest stars have been fearless in holding the government to account. They have earned our undieing gratitude. In fact, people were so impressed with Pat Kenny that his neighbour even gave him some land!

Everyone in RTÉ soldiers on with an honest, unflappable, professional attidude. I can safely say that during my many, many happy hours watching them that not even one of them is smug!

I say now, it is time to increase the licence fee. We need to share the pain and help RTÉ.