skip to main content

Expert advisory groups to meet next week over RTÉ

The Oireachtas Media Committee is seeking details of all those in receipt of car allowances, as well as the salaries of the lowest 50 earners (file image)
The Oireachtas Media Committee is seeking details of all those in receipt of car allowances, as well as the salaries of the lowest 50 earners (file image)

Two expert advisory groups, appointed to review corporate governance and culture in RTÉ, will hold preliminary meetings next week.

Both panels met with the Minister for Media Catherine Martin in recent days, and are due to begin their work next month.

RTÉ has been engulfed in controversy since it admitted it had underdeclared presenter Ryan Tubridy's earnings by €345,000 from 2017 to 2022.

The figure includes three €75,000 annual payments received by Mr Tubridy for proposed public appearances for Renault, as part of a tripartite agreement involving the sponsor, RTÉ and the presenter.

The most controversial aspect of the deal was RTÉ's decision to underwrite the payments, which effectively resulted in the publicly funded broadcaster covering the costs.

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst met Mr Tubridy in person earlier this week for a "one-to-one meeting".

In a statement, RTÉ said the two men "had a good, open, and constructive conversation" and will meet again in a few weeks.

Separately, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Media said that its members are also awaiting further information from RTÉ in relation to the ongoing payments controversy.

Chairperson Niamh Smyth said that the committee is open to convening during the summer recess, if relevant documents or witnesses become available.

Information requested by the committee include a letter related to the underwriting of the tripartite commercial agreement, details of all individuals in receipt of car allowances, the salaries of the 50 lowest earners in the organisation, confirmation that all podcasts operated by employees are permitted under RTÉ rules, the terms of reference for the establishment of a register of interests, and details around the production of the programme "The Movie Show".

Ms Smyth met Minister Martin in recent days to ensure that there is no duplication of the information being sought by the committee and the external review panels.

Ms Smyth said that she would also be hopeful that the review panels could make themselves available to the committee, to update members on their findings, in the coming weeks.

Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Brian Stanley said that his committee will meet again if any significant information comes to light, or if relevant witnesses make themselves available.

Yesterday, Mr Stanley confirmed that PAC members are also hoping to hear from Dee Forbes and Jim Jennings, as well as former Chief Financial Officer Breda O'Keefe and former Director of Commercial Geraldine O'Leary.

RTÉ has said that it will continue to liaise with the PAC and will prepare for the next meeting scheduled in October.

However, Mr Stanley said that members could meet sooner, if they believe it is necessary to do so.