The Government announced an external review into governance and culture in RTÉ following controversy over salary transparency.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin announced the external review yesterday afternoon following a meeting with RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh.
The review, the terms of which Ms Martin said should be decided by the end of next week, will determine what fundamental or systemic issues need to be addressed within RTÉ.
“While as Minister I cannot get involved in the day-to-day operation of RTÉ, I do need assurance that the governance and culture is fit for purpose,” Ms Martin said.
Funding
Ms Martin also announced that a Government decision on future funding models for RTÉ has been paused until the external review is completed, which Ms Martin estimated to be approximately six months.
“Public trust in RTÉ must be rebuilt,” she said. “I impressed upon the Chair that re-building trust and confidence is now paramount.”
WAAA7W Schull, West Cork, Ireland. 19th Aug, 2019. After many years of invitations, TV and radio star Ryan Tubridy finally came to Schull to present his show on RTE Radio 1 today. He interviewed local people and posed for pictures afterwards, before going on a walkabout in Schull Village. Credit: Andy Gibson/Alamy Live News.Ms Martin announced this review following revelations that RTÉ paid former Late Late Show Presenter Ryan Tubridy hundreds of thousands of euros more than it declared to the public or the Oireachtas.
This week, the national broadcaster confirmed that it paid the former Late Late Show presenter €345,000 euro more than it declared between 2017 and 2022.
'Untold damage'
Ms Ní Raghallaigh told Ms Martin an external review commissioned by RTÉ to review the salary of the top 10 most highly paid presenters will be concluded within two weeks.
"As evidenced by media coverage and public comment over the past number of days,” Ms Martin said. “This has caused untold damage to RTE’s reputation and to public service broadcasting more generally.”
When asked about the suspension of RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes, Ms Martin said she was told it was a “disciplinary” process and claimed she was not privy to further information.
