RTÉ admits paying Tubridy €345,000 more than declared

Privatise RTE immediately. It would appear that the issue at hand in the RTE saga is the failure of the government to adapt to the public concerns about transparency in the national broadcaster. The best way to defeat corruption is to privatise the industry and my thoughts about how to do this and the arguments for it are outlined below.

The privatisation of RTE would foster a competitive environment by introducing private enterprises into previously state-dominated industries. The resulting competition would encourage efficiency improvements, cost reductions, and productivity gains. A lack of competition and competitors in the market place leads to monopoly situations and worse still, capture by political interests of those businesses and use of those businesses for means other than consumer welfare. 

Competition drives innovation and cuts the chord with accepted political norms in the target country. Private companies are driven by profit motives, leading to a focus on optimizing resource allocation and operational performance as opposed to political considerations. As a result, formerly sluggish and bureaucratic state-owned enterprises beholden to weighed down employment considerations become more streamlined and responsive, thus increasing overall economic efficiency.

With less bureaucratic red tape, they can quickly adapt to market demands, invest in research and development, and implement cutting-edge technologies. As a result, industries under private ownership are more likely to drive technological progress, evolve and adapt to the current market conditions and remain competitive in the global marketplace as opposed to maintaining the status quo and pandering to political ideologies accepted as fact in the country in question. 

The privatisation of RTE would drive economic growth by attracting both domestic and foreign investment. As private enterprises grow and flourish, they create new job opportunities, leading to reduced unemployment rates and increased consumer spending and prevents capture by government political interests. Additionally, increased investment in the private sector results in higher tax revenues for the government, which can be allocated to essential social programs and infrastructure development such as saving lives in the HSE.

The profit motive inherent in privatisation of RTE would ensure that resources are allocated efficiently based on market demand and consumer preferences. Unlike nationalised industries, where political considerations may influence resource allocation, private enterprises respond to market signals and act in accordance with consumer needs and desires. This approach leads to a more effective use of resources, reducing waste and promoting sustainable development.

Numerous case studies from around the world provide compelling evidence in favor of privatisation. For instance, in the United Kingdom during the 1980s and 1990s, the government initiated a series of privatisation efforts, which included industries such as telecommunications, energy, and transportation. The results were remarkable, as these industries witnessed increased efficiency, improved service quality, and reduced costs after transitioning into private hands. British Telecom, for example, saw significant advancements in technology and expanded its services to a wider customer base.

British Leyland (UK): In the 1970s, the British government nationalised the British Leyland motor company, which was one of the largest car manufacturers in the UK. However, despite the state's efforts to rescue the company, it struggled with inefficiencies, labor disputes, and poor management. The nationalisation failed to turn the company around, and it continued to face financial losses. Eventually, the company was privatized again in the 1980s.

The privatisation of RTE would attract foreign investment, as private enterprises offer opportunities for international businesses to participate in growing markets. Foreign direct investment can bring in new technologies, management practices, and expertise, further boosting economic growth and development. This is in stark contrast to RTE making political appointments to disguise their blatant political motives and capture by entities suggesting for example the famine might be considered genocide. They are teaching the public how to think and framing it as they know best and they are working for their

Interests by framing us as victims. They are not protecting them they are fleecing them with a narrative creative by political interests to keep themselves in power.

In state-run industries, there is a risk of corruption and political interference in decision-making processes, which can lead to misallocation of resources and inefficiencies. This is blatantly evident in the case of RTE appointments. Their willingness to create “stars” who have no obvious charisma via their monopoly position and reach leads to an acceptance of decisions due to lack of alternatives int he market. Privatisation introduces transparency and accountability into the system, reducing the scope for corrupt practices and promoting fair competition.

The government can seek guidance and support from international organizations with expertise in privatisation and economic development. Collaboration with institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and other regional development banks can provide valuable insights, technical assistance, and financial resources for successful privatisation initiatives.

Regulatory stability is crucial for attracting private investment and fostering a conducive business environment. The government should strive to maintain a stable and predictable regulatory framework, avoiding frequent policy changes that could discourage potential investors.

A quick summary of the advantages of privatising RTE include:

1. Improved management 
2. Increased competition leading to innovation 
3. Liberalisation of foreign markets
4. Prevention of entrenched interests and protectionism
5. Private sector management with wide array of management experience from various different industries
6. Prevention of pandering to employment law and stagnation in the culling and hiring of new talent when performance stagnates
7. Increased corporate awareness towards global issues such as climate change and evolving the organisation to adapt to such changes

Personally I am sickened by RTE’s approach of ignoring the public backlash and outrage towards what was a system of corruption within RTE. Their blatant superiority complex based on nothing other than the public not controlling the levers of power is contempt towards democracy, transparency and a thumbing of their noses to the electorate. It is enraging seeing the blasé attempts to cast off critics. And to act in non transparent ways. In short, RTE should be privatised immediately to prevent such capture and corruption occurring in future. One case of corruption is not enough for them. Their failure to adapt quickly and with agility will condemn RTE to capture to political interests for generations to come. Privatise RTE immediately.