RTÉ is now the “on the right road”, Media Minister Catherine Martin has said. 

Today, the Government released a highly critical report into the broadcaster’s barter account - which it had at one point used to transfer hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy.

Minister Martin said the way the account had been used was “not befitting a public service organisation”.

However, speaking to The Hard Shoulder, she also said she believed the station had made some important improvements to its governance.

“I also think the level of engagement with staff at RTÉ has really changed since the new Director General came in,” she said.

“He told me today he has met with over 30 representative groups and the new interim leadership team - that’s another change he made, that’s making a difference after the damage done.

“The RTÉ Chair told me since April, new procedures with regards to the barter account have been operating, so everything is documented.

“More needs to be done but I think they’re on the right road.

“It’s a big issue and there’s no quick fix.”

Funding

Amid a steep fall in people paying the licence fee, Director General Kevin Bakhurst has said there need to be changes to the way the station is funded.

“We have highlighted the issue and it is urgent, but the timing has got to be right,” he said.

“We have got to show we have made changes to the organisation before that happens.”

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst. Picture by: Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

The Government has previously expressed an openness to consider alternative funding models but Minister Martin has said it would not be appropriate to make any changes at this point in time.

“I paused the decision on that longer-term funding model,” she said.

“I was coming close to a decision on that before the controversy arose and I’ve paused that completely.

“You can’t make a decision on that until you have an environment of trust and that’s why the decision is paused until we get to the bottom of this, until we see real reform from RTÉ.”

Main image: The Arts Minister Catherine Martin outside Government Buildings, 30-08-2021. Image: Sasko Lazarov