News that RTÉ paid Ryan Tubridy more than previously published has raised "profound questions" about governance in the national broadcaster.

That’s according to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who told Ivan Yates on The Pat Kenny Show that confidence in RTÉ has been compromised.

"It’s another development that is going to further undermine the trust that many have in RTÉ and does raise further profound questions regarding the governance and organisation of RTÉ," he said.

“To be in a situation where we have arrangements in place to minimise transparency, it appears to me, and secondly we have individuals saying, ‘we didn’t ask questions’ – it's not acceptable."

Mr Donohoe said three things need to happen in response to the controversy.

“The Government will agree the terms of reference to review what happened,” he said. 

“Steps will have to be taken to restore confidence - we can’t wait for many months or that review to conclude. 

“[And] it’s appropriate, if not vital, that RTÉ engage with the Oireachtas this week.” 

RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes has been called before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee to discuss the scandal; however, she resigned her position this morning and it remains to be seen whether she will attend.

External review

An external review into RTÉ was announced following revelations that the national broadcaster paid host Ryan Tubridy €345,000 more than it declared between 2017 and 2022. 

The review, according to Mr Donohoe, must find out two essential things. 

“We do need to know why these payments were signed off and by whom,” he said. 

“We need to know if this is an arrangement that has stretched beyond one individual or one contract.” 

Ryan Tubridy is pictured on set ahead of the RTÉ One The Late Late Show St Patrick's Day Special.

RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne said this morning her published salary is correct, and she learned about the revelation at the same time as everyone else. 

Ms Byrne said she earned €350,000 while hosting Claire Byrne Live and said “in order to be fully transparent” that her current salary is now €280,000.  

RTÉ funding

Mr Donohoe said he has been “very careful” about changes to RTÉ funding and increases to the TV licence during his time in the Department of Finance.

On Saturday, Minister Catherine Martin announced the Government would pause any decisions about funding until the external review is completed.

“Any media organisation, but particularly one that is State-funded, has two mandates,” he said. “The first one is the need to ask questions and the second one is, when those questions are put, to get full and transparent answers to them.” 

Mr Donohoe refused to be drawn on whether Mr Tubridy should return to the air on RTÉ before the review is completed.

“I fundamentally disagree that politicians should decide who is on the air,” he said.