It cost RTÉ more than €47,000 to cover the expense involved in staging three events hosted by Ryan Tubridy for Renault in 2022, according to a statement from the public service broadcaster.
The events took place in Cork, Dublin and Louth between March and May 2022.
The cost of staging the events was €30,586. As RTÉ paid the costs through a barter account, the total cost to RTÉ came to €47,477.
Barter accounts are regularly used to record the exchange of services between companies.
In a statement to Prime Time, RTÉ said these costs covered staging, event management and hospitality.
A video posted online from one of the events shows Ryan Tubridy interviewing a number of prominent people in front of a live audience, on a stage set up on the sales floor of a Renault dealership.
The stage is constructed with industry-quality lighting, and studio-quality furniture.
Guests include a former Irish rugby international, several GAA stars, a League of Ireland soccer manager and a well-known actor and comedian.
A professionally recorded and edited video shows guests enjoying cocktails, access to a bar and a selection of canapés, which are served by waiting staff.
A musician also performed at the event.
The agreement to cover the costs appears to have been part of a wider arrangement made by RTÉ with Ryan Tubridy through his agent and Renault.
Following a request from the RTÉ Board in March, forensic accountants from Grant Thornton examined RTÉ's involvement in the agreement.
On Tuesday, RTÉ published a version of the report. It shows RTÉ’s income from Renault’s sponsorship of the Late Late Show was reduced by the value of €75,000, with Renault paying Ryan Tubridy €75,000.
For his part Ryan Tubridy agreed to host events for Renault, while RTÉ additionally covered costs involved in staging these events.
The agreement was 'cost-neutral’ for Renault.
The accountants were commissioned by RTÉ to investigate the broadcasters’ decision in relation to the agreement, they found no suggestion of wrong-doing on behalf of Renault of Ryan Tubridy.
Explained from the start: RTÉ and the Tubridy payments
