The information comes in the wake of claims last month made by Gabriel Byrne, who said a culture of "abject sexism" was rife at RTE during the 1970s. The actor said the climate at the time was "ridiculous".

"There are still a few people walking around the place, who are regarded as, I don't know what you'd call them...sex pests?" he said.

Talking about a broadcaster who was reported to have harassed a former girlfriend of his during her time at RTE, Byrne commented:

"People just knew it - that so and so, he took his trousers down at a meeting. It was a joke."

In response to the request for information on harassment complaints, RTE said that under its policy on the prevention of harassment, a panel was available to help staff experiencing problems.

"RTE takes very seriously its duty of care towards its staff and contractors and to those providing services who are under the control of RTE," it said.

The Irish broadcasting network did not disclose which departments the complaints stemmed from, citing confidentiality. The gender of the people who made the claims is also unknown.