Ryan Tubridy will not return to his presenting role in RTÉ at this time, according to the broadcaster's Director General.
Mr Tubridy has been off-air since 22 June, when controversy over the under-declaration of his salary by RTÉ was first revealed by the RTÉ Board.
In an email to staff this evening, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said that negotiations with Mr Tubridy were entered into in good faith "in the hopes of reaching an agreement that would see Ryan return to his RTÉ Radio 1 show".
Mr Bakhurst said: "I have decided not to continue with negotiations and, as such, there are no plans for Ryan to return to his presenting role with RTÉ at this time.
"Despite having agreed some of the fundamentals, including fee, duration and hours, regretfully, it is my view that trust between the parties has broken down. Public statements made without consultation appear to question the basis for the necessary restatement of fees paid for services for 2020 and 2021.
"As I set about a programme of recovery from this crisis, it is imperative that all parties are aligned in one key respect: the misstatement of fees should never have happened; and the correct re-statement of those fees is accepted by all."
Mr Bakhurst concluded his email to staff by saying "who knows what the future holds".
However, he added that "for now" he is concluding negotiations with Mr Tubridy.
He said that he is "focusing on delivering a range of important changes to the operation and culture of this organisation as part of the essential work to restore trust in RTÉ".
(Above: RTÉ's Prime Time speaks to members of the public to get their reaction to developments)
In an interview on RTÉ's Nine O'Clock News, Mr Bakhurst said now is "not the right time" for Mr Tubridy to return to the station but "the door is not shut forever".
Asked about the possibility of a return to organisation in the future, Mr Bakhurst said "the door is still open to Ryan".
"One of the reasons this has weighed particularly hard on me is that I try to be a very fair person."
He said: "I feel there's been a lot of mistakes made. There's been some particularly big mistakes made by RTÉ, but also by Ryan and by his advisors.
"I think now's not the right time for Ryan to come back. We need to focus on rebuilding trust with the audience but the door is not shut forever."
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Mr Bakhurst said the plan was for Mr Tubridy to return to his radio show on 4 September, as well as a podcast. A salary of €170,000 had also been agreed.
Mr Bakhurst confirmed that Mr Tubridy had planned to give back the €150,000 he received as part of the tripartite agreement.
He said he admired Mr Tubridy, describing him as a talented broadcaster. However, he said teams in RTÉ Radio 1 were "very strongly split" on his return to the airwaves, which was a surprise to the presenter.
RTÉ Board 'notes the decision'
The RTÉ Board said that it "notes the decision" by the Director General in relation to Mr Tubridy.
In a statement this evening, it said that it "supports the ongoing work of the Director General and his interim leadership team".
Minister for Media Catherine Martin said tonight's decision was an operational and editorial one for the Director General.
"What remains of utmost importance is that RTÉ concentrate its efforts on restoring the trust and confidence of the public, and fulfilling its important role as a public service broadcaster."
In a statement yesterday, the former Late Late Show host welcomed the latest Grant Thornton report.
The report found a plausible explanation for the under-declaration of Mr Tubridy's earnings in 2017, 2018 and 2019 by €120,000 was RTÉ's objective to achieve a position where his earnings for each year were below €500,000.
It also stated that Mr Tubridy had no involvement in the adjustments made by the broadcaster in 2020 to his published earnings totalling €120,000 for the 2017 to 2019 period.
The analysis concluded that the adjustments had the effect of causing his published earnings in each of the years to change to an amount below €500,000 from an amount above that figure and it was these lower amounts that RTÉ published in January 2021.
In his statement, Mr Tubridy said: "It is also clear that my actual income from RTÉ in 2020 and 2021 matches what was originally published as my earnings for those years and RTÉ has not yet published its top ten earner details for 2022."
But in reply, RTÉ said: "Regarding Ryan Tubridy's comments in his statement, RTÉ is currently seeking clarification as to their meaning."
The statement went on to say that details of Mr Tubridy's earnings for 2022 were published in the RTÉ Board statement of 22 June.
That board statement showed Mr Tubridy's published earnings for 2020 was €446,250, while his actual earnings amounted to €522,500.
In 2021, his published earnings were €440,000, while he was actually paid €515,000.
Live: Trust has broken down' over Tubridy return - Bakhurst
NUJ pushing for a 'fresh start'
The Chair of the National Union of Journalists Broadcasting Branch, Emma O Kelly, said that it is pushing for a fresh start and a more transparent RTÉ.
In a statement she said: "We welcome Kevin Bakhurst's statement that a line needs to be drawn between RTÉ's recent past, and the present.
"We are pushing for a fresh start, and a fairer and more transparent RTÉ going forward."
The NUJ said earlier that its members in RTÉ will meet on Tuesday to discuss the "ongoing crisis" at the broadcaster.
More Oireachtas committee hearings
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee has confirmed that members will meet in a private session next Tuesday to discuss the payments controversy at RTÉ.
It is expected that a public session will be held on 13 September, pending the agreement of committee members.
Chair of the Committee, Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth, indicated that she would like to see the entire RTÉ Board attend.
It is understood that individuals from the current RTÉ interim leadership team, as well as others from the former executive board, may also be invited.
TDs and senators will decide next Tuesday who will be issued with invitations.
