The Oireachtas Committee on Media has heard that an RTÉ staff member who had a car "on loan" for a number of years returned it on Tuesday.
Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley questioned RTÉ's interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch on whether any personalities at the broadcaster were in possession of a car as a result of being brand ambassadors for motoring companies.
Mr Lynch revealed one RTÉ staff member had secured the loan of a car for five years.
He told the committee the loan period was "not approved" and the car was returned on Tuesday.
"I'm aware of one instance where somebody had a loan of car. My understanding is that car has been returned and that individual is a staff member of RTÉ," Mr Lynch said.
Mr Dooley asked how long the car had been on loan.
"I believe for a period of five years," Mr Lynch said, adding: "That was not approved."
Mr Dooley later asked when the car was returned. "Yesterday," replied Mr Lynch.
Asked by Senator Micheal Carrigy whether the staff member who returned the car was a member of the board, executive or talent, Mr Lynch said he could not give out that information as it would be too specific and lead to speculation about a narrow group of people.
However, Mr Lynch said on advice from the Data Protection Office he could be more transparent on the issue in the future.
"I'm sure it will come out anyway," he said.
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Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan said that having a car on loan for five years was an extraordinarily long period.
Mr Lynch said it is his "understanding" that this loan was not approved, adding that the employee handbook says that a line manager should approve such an arrangement and that did not happen.
Mr O'Sullivan criticised the "oversight".
When asked if it is possible that someone who is in receipt of a car allowance does not have a driver's licence, Mr Lynch said he was not aware, but he would find out.
