The measure of any crisis tends to be how long it continues.
As the shambles engulfing RTÉ lurches into its fourth week, the damage to the national broadcaster becomes harder to repair.
The new Director General Kevin Bakhurst finds himself in a challenging position.
Normally during an emergency, the chief executive of an organisation has some control over the narrative and flow of information into the public domain.
That allows the CEO to respond to events at they happen.
But Mr Bakhurst begins the job of repairing the organisation while the crisis at RTÉ continues to unfold in an unpredictable fashion.
Four Oireachtas committee hearings which could throw up anything are scheduled.
Here is the diary for what is likely to be a crucial week ahead for the national broadcaster.
Monday
Mr Bakhurst will unveil his plan to reform the executive board of RTÉ.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has already indicated that the plan must result in sweeping changes.
"I'm sure he is going to want to reconstitute the executive board or perhaps get rid of it altogether," he said.
But can Mr Bakhurst make sweeping changes, or will his hands be tied because of the employment rights of individuals at the centre of the controversy?
One way or another, he faces a tricky balancing act.
The new Director General will also need to try to fix badly impaired relations with staff.
As part of that process, Mr Bakhurst has said he will speak directly to workers.
A priority will be to address the grievances of workers who say they have laboured for decades to build trust in the national broadcaster - only to see it rapidly undermined by the actions of some senior figures.
Tuesday
Oireachtas committees can sometimes be dull affairs but Tuesday's double bill with Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly has all the ingredients of a blockbuster.
They will appear at the Public Accounts Committee in the morning, while in the afternoon they will attend the Media Committee.
They have not been compelled to appear but are doing so voluntarily, accompanied by their lawyers.
The pair have issued statements on the controversy over undisclosed payments of €345,000 made to Mr Tubridy, but so far have not elaborated on them.
It is clear both Mr Tubridy and Mr Kelly believe it was up to RTÉ to handle how fees paid to the TV and radio host were reported to the public, regardless of accuracy.
While Mr Tubridy is one of the best-known and most recognisable figures in broadcasting, his agent is an unknown quantity.
From their statements, it appears both feel they did little wrong, and they are likely to query Mr Tubridy's continued suspension from the airwaves.
The host has apologised and said he should have asked more questions about the publication of his earnings.
While the pair may wish to blame RTÉ for the crisis, they will also seek to plot a course for the presenter to return to the microphone. They, too, face a tricky balancing act.
Wednesday
Before the current controversy hit the headlines, RTÉ and the GAA were together drawing public anger over the GAAGO live streaming service.
The decision to put some matches behind a paywall has provoked large volumes of correspondence to politicians from angry fans.
The GAA and RTÉ will appear at the Media Committee along with other broadcasters and sports organisations.
It means more firefighting for RTÉ at a time when the broadcaster is dealing with multiple contentious issues.
Thursday
Mr Bakhurst will appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
Also invited are some new faces: Declan McBennett, the broadcaster's Head of Sport, former Director General Noel Curran, and Head of Content Jim Jennings who has been unable to attend previous hearings for medical reasons.
The spotlight will be trained on Mr Bakhurst.
He will have to convince politicians he is capable of rebuilding relationships with the audience, politicians and staff.
He will also endeavour to persuade TDs and senators that he comes to the role with clean hands but the right experience to turn the ship around.
He will attempt to draw a line under the crisis and timing is critical.
Thursday is the last sitting day of the Dáil before the summer recess. However, committees can continue to meet.
If the controversy receives any further oxygen this week, it will keep it alive and in the headlines during the traditionally quiet political period of late July and August.
That could have corrosive consequences for RTÉ's already damaged reputation.
