RTÉ will not receive funding from the Exchequer without substantial reforms to its financial management, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chair has warned.
Brian Stanley TD told Newstalk the Government must be sure RTÉ has resolved internal issues following controversy surrounding payments to Ryan Tubridy and use of barter accounts.
“RTÉ has already received a bailout last year of just under €16 million,” he said.
“Before any consideration could be given to transfer money to RTÉ from the taxpayer [and] the Exchequer, there would have to be substantial reforms.
“We need to have transparency, we need to have accountability. We need to ensure that at the corporate governance level, necessary changes are made.”
RTÉ Financial management
The PAC Chair said the Government needs written confirmation that “satisfies all tax liabilities” regarding two €75,000 payments to Mr Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly.
He also said RTÉ’s executive leadership in the future should have all knowledge of financial accounts used in the corporation.
“While there will be different accounts... we need to ensure they are under one financial management system and under the control of the Chief Financial Officer,” he said.
“We [can’t] finish up in a situation like we've had, where you have the Chief Financial Officer coming in and saying that we're not aware of certain accounts.”
It was previously announced that RTÉ would be put under the remit of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA), which provides financial and commercial advice to Government ministers and departments on State companies.
Public Accounts Committee
The PAC are also calling for former Director General Dee Forbes and other former RTÉ executives to answer questions regarding payments made to Mr Tubridy.
Deputy Stanley said several documents must be submitted for examination by the Committee.
“One of those is in relation to a meeting between Ms Dee Forbes and Mr Noel Kelly,” he said. “There’s a side note on that meeting and a letter of agreement of some sort.
“RTÉ said it’s all legally privileged – it's our legal advice that we can waive that legal privilege.”
