An internal health and safety review into a retirement gathering at RTÉ has found five breaches in relation to Covid 19 advice, protocols and regulations.
The review found that there was a breach of a requirement under Level 5 restrictions to avoid crowded places and three breaches of public health advice at the event on 12 November.
These include some people not maintaining social distancing and, where the two-metre rule was breached, it found some people were not wearing face coverings.
It said there was also a breach of internal RTÉ Covid-19 protocols for visitors to the site and a breach of the Plan for Living with Covid-19, as there should not have been any indoor gathering that does not form part of RTÉ's delivery of an essential service.
CCTV footage shows that the gathering lasted approximately 20 minutes during lunchtime at the main entrance to the TV centre, which had a busy schedule of visitors.
It said that a review of the footage showed that the number of people in this public area ranged from approximately 15 people to 40, some of whom were there for other purposes.
It found that there were "a small number of non-staff present, which is not permissible unless such persons are involved in the provision of essential services".
In addition, it said there is no evidence of the Covid-19 visitor questionnaire being completed, which is requirement under the RTÉ Covid-19 protocols.
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It also says that during the photo taking, there was an evident departure from a Covid-19 controlled environment, resulting in people momentarily ignoring public health advice to pose for pictures in an unprotected way.
Director General Dee Forbes has said the breaches should not have happened and apologised in a letter circulated to staff this afternoon.
Speaking to RTÉ News this evening, she said it was hugely regrettable and disappointing that the breaches occurred.
Ms Forbes said: "Personally, as Director-General, I am very sorry that it happened."
She said it is important that "we double down our efforts" to ensure it does not happen again.
Dee Forbes said that amongst the measures being implemented is a "very clear communications plan to remind everyone around the protocols of gatherings in RTÉ".
She said gatherings that are not for the provision of essential services cannot be held.
Dee Forbes said when these breaches happened there was huge disappointment amongst RTÉ staff but "the important thing now is that we learn from it".
The review makes a number of recommendations, including that all present at the gathering must retake RTÉ's Covid-19 induction training and a review of visitor access and protocols.
The report said the breaches should not have occurred and "this was a lapse which occurred for a moment in time".
It said all managers will be asked to attend a refresh training session to ensure that the Covid-19 protocols are adhered to in full.
The review said that gardaí are conducting an inquiry into whether or not there were any breaches of Covid-19 regulations.
It said that some issues, such as the circumstances under which the gathering took place, fall outside the scope of the review.
