Structure of late RTE presenter Sean Rocks' pay 'has had very significant implications' for his family, TD says

"Ms Sherlock, who has been in contact with Ms Bailey, told The Claire Byrne Show on Newstalk that Mr Rocks signed a producer's contract with RT&E;, and was then giving an allowance for his presenting duties. "Effectively, what happened was that his pay was, overall, suppressed in terms of how his pay was structured," she said. "And that has had very significant implications for his family and his young children that have been left behind after his passing last year.""

""And that's why I took the decision last Saturday, because I've been talking to his widow many times over the past number of months to actually talk about his story." Ms Sherlock said much of the focus is on Derek Mooney, who was also classified as a producer despite carrying out presenting duties on RTÉ. It emerged last week that Mooney was kept off RT&E;'s top 10 earners list for five years due to being classified as a producer, rather than a presenter."

"She said it is important to say "there are people who love their jobs within RTÉ who have tried to fix their situation", including Rocks. "And Sean was one of those who tried to fix the situation many times over the years with RTÉ management. "And yet, it never came to any conclusion simply because, of course, everybody knew that Seán loved his job and was never prepared to walk away, and that's the long and the short of it.""

Sean Rocks presented RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena for 16 years and died last year at age 64 after a short illness. He was survived by his partner Catherine Bailey and two sons, Christian and Morgan. Labour TD Marie Sherlock said Rocks signed a producer’s contract with RTÉ and received an allowance for presenting duties, which suppressed his overall pay structure. She said this had significant implications for his family and young children after his passing. Sherlock also referenced Derek Mooney, who was kept off RTÉ’s top 10 earners list for five years because he was classified as a producer rather than a presenter. She said some people tried to fix their situations with RTÉ management but did not reach conclusions.

Read at Irish Independent