RTÉ executives have been called before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee over the 'utterly unacceptable' Ryan Tubridy pay scandal.

PAC Chair Brian said the committee is "demanding" the executive’s attendance.

He said now-suspended RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes has an onus and an obligation to attend.

It comes after revelations that the former Late Late Show host was paid hundreds of thousands of euro more by the broadcaster than it declared to the public or the Oireachtas.

Mr Tubridy has said he apologises unreservedly for not querying 'incorrect figures' published by RTÉ about his salary.

Deputy Stanley has proposed a hearing with RTÉ and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media next Thursday.

He said there is an "obligation" on Ms Forbes to appear.

"We will be demanding that the executive board of RTÉ attend the hearing," he said.

"What has happened under their watch is utterly unacceptable and yet another serious breach of trust between our national broadcaster and the public.

"Dee Forbes also has an obligation to come before the committee".

RTE Director-General Dee Forbes is seen at the Department of Education, Dublin, in November 2019. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Deputy Stanley said RTÉ representatives have 'misled' the PAC.

"We were told yesterday that Ms Forbes was on annual leave. Today we have been told that she is suspended," he said.

"There is a serious credibility issue here. There is an onus and an obligation on Ms Forbes to attend and I expect her to be there.

"The PAC has been misled by RTÉ representatives, including Ms Forbes.

"What has occurred is a betrayal of trust and we are demanding a full explanation from those directly involved," he added.

“There’s no doubt that damage has been done here – that trust has been damaged with the public.”

The Media Minister says the Ryan Tubridy pay scandal raises concerns over the “broader transparency and governance” of RTÉ. pic.twitter.com/K0xeBaqbEZ

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 23, 2023

Media Minister Catherine Martin, who is meeting the RTÉ board chair on Saturday, has said there needs to be a major review.

"What do they think is needed to rebuild trust, because it is damaged," she said.

"Public service broadcasting, the Future of Media Commission Report, shows that it does a public good.

"If the public have lost the trust, if the staff have lost the trust we need to look at the wider transparency, wider governance, the culture that is there in that organisation.

"All of that I think needs to be reviewed".

Minister Martin also noted this comes at a time when RTÉ was seeking increased funding from the State and the taxpayer.

"There is a question there about the future funding model of RTÉ," she said.

"Obviously that's something that we've been examining, but I would say that that would have to be done in an environment of trust with the public.

"That's not there at the moment; so let's prioritise re-establishing the trust before you move on to the funding model," she added.