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RTÉ Officials Grilled By Public Accounts Committee

Thursday, 29 June 2023 14:00

Photo Credit: Oireachtas.ie

Some of the testimonies have been described as 'extraordinary.'

The Chair of the RTÉ board has said the labeling of payments to Ryan Tubridy in filings were "an act designed to deceive".

Siún Ní Raghallaigh has told an Oireachtas committee she's appalled at the revelations in recent days and there will be a review of how RTÉ spends money starting with the highest earners. 

Separately the Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Laois Offaly Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has been told RTÉ's day-to-day management team will be reconstituted under the incoming Director General Kevin Bakhurst.

Board chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh says there will need to be a cultural transformation within RTÉ coming from the top down:

The chair of the RTÉ board has also committed to publishing the salaries of the top 100 earners at the broadcaster as soon as is practically possible.

RTÉ's Chief Financial Officer says he was told €150,000 was paid to Ryan Tubridy's agent for advice on how it was structured and presented itself during the pandemic. 

Richard Collins has admitted 'in hindsight' he should have asked more questions about the payments after discussions with then Director General Dee Forbes. 

The committee had previously been told the two €75,000 payments were due to Ryan Tubridy as RTÉ had underwritten a commercial arrangement with Renault. 

RTÉ Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins says Deloitte raised concerns about the payments with him, which he brought to the Director General:

The revelation sparked a line of questioning from Deputy Stanley:

During questioning, Mr. Collins appeared reluctant to reveal details of his own salary when asked by Sinn Fein Deputy John Brady.

He was pressed on the issue by Deputy Stanley:

RTÉ has also said the Executive Board is to be reconstituted under the incoming Director General Kevin Bakhurst.

The broadcaster is also starting a register of interests for senior editorial staff which will include presenters. 

Meanwhile, Patrick Kielty will be paid €250,000 per season of the Late Late Show.

The presenter said he hopes he can help to clarify things as the hidden payments controversy at RTÉ continues.

In a statement issued through his publicist - Patrick Kielty says he will get paid over €8,000 for each Late Late Show he hosts.

He says it is a deal until 2026 for 30-shows a season - and if RTE requires more than that - it will pay him €8,000 for each.

He also said the contract he signed with the broadcaster gives him flights and accommodation expenses - but he said that has been waived and he will pay for his own flights to and from Ireland as well as his own accommodation.

Patrick Kielty will continue to live in Britain while being host of the show aired from Dublin.

He says he has asked RTÉ to carbon offset his flights

The county Down presenter also says he is getting a one-off payment of €20,000 to cover pre-production and rehearsals for the show which starts in September.
 

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