At breakfast, Marion wants to know will we pay the TV licence. Páraig doesn’t count to ten. Before she can say anymore, he’s in like a rocket.
Páraig: I’m thinking no, I won’t pay it. Will you visit me in jail?
Marion: But it won’t come to that. You don’t watch much television anyway.
P: Yeah, but will you visit me?
M: I suppose I will. Is this all because of that Tubridy fella?
P: Well, his agent got him a good deal, under the counter, behind the scenes. If I got a deal like that, I’d take it.
M: So, what’s the big fuss?
P: It’s the sneaky feckers in RTE that are taking us for mugs, that’s what’s bugging me.
M: Páraig, you have to let that over your shoulder. If you hang on to it you’ll become a bitter old man.
P: I’m off to sit in the garden to meditate on things.
M: Good idea. Before you go off for your deep meditation, would you be a dear and put on another slice of toast for me please? In fairness, that meditation is good for both of us!
Background information:
RTÉ is the Irish public service radio and television broadcaster, funded by the Irish Government. In addition to a large salary, Ryan Tubridy was paid 345,000 in secret payments since 2017. Salary cuts had been imposed to reduce costs.
75,000 per year was paid for by Renault (for 3 promotional events per year) and deducted from what they agreed to pay RTE as Late Late Show sponsors. This was underwritten by RTE so when they were unable to pay him during Covid because no appearances were possible, RTE were obliged to pay him and the shady deal came to light when auditors picked up on this.
P.
The Three Hairs 