Media Minister Catherine Martin has said the former Secretary-General of her Department has "no recollection" about an exit package for RTÉ's former Chief Financial Officer being approved by the broadcaster's Board.
It follows a statement from RTÉ which claimed the Department of Media had been informed of the decision in October.
The former Chair of RTÉ resigned in the early hours of this morning saying it was clear Minister Martin had no confidence in her.
Minister Martin accused Siún Ní Raghallaigh of 'misinforming' her about RTÉ exit packages on two occasions this week.
Minister Martin said she asked the Ms Ní Raghallaigh at meetings on Monday and Wednesday if she or the Board had played any role in approving two recent severance packages.
The Minister was told neither Ms Ní Raghallaigh or the Board had played any role in approving it.
On Thursday, Ms Ní Raghallaigh contacted the Department of Media to say what she had told Minister Martin 'was inaccurate'.
Former chair of the board of RTÉ Siún Ní Raghallaigh, 13-7-23. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieMinister Martin subsequently would not say whether she had confidence in Ms Ní Raghallaigh on RTÉ's Prime Time last night.
Ms Ní Raghallaigh said she was then left with no choice but to resign.
Speaking this evening, Minister Martin said she was not given accurate information.
"I am aware of suggestions that Ms Ní Raghallaigh had informed the former Secretary-General of my Department that the Board had approved the exit package for Richard Collins," she said.
"I discussed this matter with the former Secretary-General yesterday and today to check if this was the case.
"She has been clear that while she was informed by phone that the independent mediation process on an exit package for Mr Collins had finally reached a conclusion, she has no recollection of being told that it was approved by the Board's Remuneration Committee.
"I was deeply disappointed that the Chair had not given me accurate information when I raised it specifically on two occasions during the week".
'I had to address the matter'
Minister Martin said she called a formal meeting this morning due to "the failure to properly answer my questions".
She said she would rather not have reacted to this information on Prime Time.
"Needless to say, it would have been my preference not to deal with this matter live on air," she said.
"This was, however, a pre-arranged interview, and given how the situation had evolved yesterday and in the interests of transparency, I felt I had to address the matter.
"At all times, my focus has been on reforming RTÉ and ensuring that it and other public broadcasters are placed on a secure and sustainable position into the future.
"This is vital for both staff at the broadcaster and the wider viewing public," she added.
Minister Martin added that she will "shortly" receive in-depth reports into how the broadcaster operates.
'Looking on in horror'
There has been strong criticism from the SIPTU trade union at these latest development.
Organiser Martin Mannion said public trust is continuing to be eroded in the national broadcaster.
"Our members have looked on in horror as yet more cases of mismanagement have been revealed at the national broadcaster in recent days," he said.
"The resignation last night of the chairperson of the RTÉ Board has left our members in shock and her replacement must be found as a matter of urgency so the leadership of our national broadcaster is not allowed to drift any further.
"Our members are angry that this saga continues to erode public trust in a key national institution. They want to get back to a full focus on producing high-quality public broadcasting," he added.
The RTÉ Board has said it is "committed to continuing to discharge its duties" to avoid further disruption.
