Ryan Tubridy looks set to remain off-air as two independent reviews into RTÉ are carried out.

Yesterday, Media Minister Catherine Martin announced two parallel reviews of the broadcaster that will investigate governance and culture, as well as contractor fees, human resources and other matters.

She also appointed a forensic accountant to look at RTÉ's accounts - with a particular focus on the barter account.

The reviews are expected to take at least six months.

The former Late Late Show presenter was taken off the airwaves amid controversy over hidden payments that meant he was being paid significantly more than the broadcaster had claimed.

Ryan Tubridy is pictured on set ahead of the RTÉ One The Late Late Show St Patrick's Day Special.

Last week, RTÉ’s interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch told the Oireachtas Media Committee it was “impossible” for the broadcaster to be on air “at the moment for editorial reasons”.

When asked whether Mr Tubridy would spend the entirety of the six-month review off-air, an RTÉ spokesperson this morning told Newstalk: “RTÉ has legal obligations under the broadcasting legislation that require its editorial output to be objective and impartial.”

“In circumstances where matters related to the presenter are of public interest, it is not appropriate for the presenter to be on air,” she said.

RTÉ confirmed last week that Mr Tubridy would continue to be paid while off-air; however, the broadcaster has yet to confirm whether this will remain the case moving forward.

Oireachtas Media Committee

Today, solicitors on behalf of Mr Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly wrote to Chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee expressing the pair's desire to "fully cooperate and assist with your Committee's investigations."

They suggested the pair appear before the Committee at a "suitable time next week" to answer questions.

This afternoon, RTÉ staff will once again return to Leinster House in the wake of fresh revelations about the station's use of a barter account.

Last week, Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins told the Oireachtas Media Committee there was only one barter account in use at the broadcaster.

It has since come to light there were a number of barter accounts in use between 2012 and 2022.

Main image: Ryan Tubridy. Picture by: Alamy.com