A review has discovered an additional number of barter accounts – the same type operated to facilitate undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy – being used by RTÉ.
RTÉ News said that “the latest information has sent shock waves through the political system which is now braced for RTÉ resignations.”
A review of RTÉ finances is understood to have found a number of further barter accounts https://t.co/jAgzBFnO4j
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 4, 2023
“This revelation has been described as highly significant and there is a view that it signals a level of dysfunction and disarray beyond what emerged last week,” the platform added.
It is believed that the issue will be now be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting of the Oireachtas Media Committee.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, told the Dáíl today that “glaring corporate governance failings that have come to light and the culture within RTÉ that enables them must be addressed as a priority.”
“We must have full and immediate transparency so that any other issues that emerge may be brought to light without delay.”
“As Deputies are aware, Grant Thornton has been commissioned by the RTÉ board to conduct a further review into the understatement by RTÉ of the additional €120,000 related to the period 2017 to 2019. The first Grant Thornton report, published by RTÉ last week, indicates that this €120,000 end-of-contract payment was not, in fact, paid. The new Grant Thornton review is seeking to establish the facts as to why, if not paid, it was deducted from the published figures of Mr. Tubridy,” she said.
“While the chair of the RTÉ Board has advised me that this further review will take up to four weeks, I have asked for it to be accelerated due to the extreme urgency and seriousness of this situation. I am advised by RTÉ that work is progressing ahead of schedule now and I have been assured that all concerned are using their best endeavours to complete the review as soon as possible.”
She also said that the Government had today approved “an independent root-and-branch examination of RTÉ comprising two parallel elements focused on, first, a review of governance and culture and, second, a review of contractor fees, human resources and other matters.”
“The reviews will be overseen by two expert advisory committees, which will be assisted by professional services and have a secretariat drawn from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The review of governance and culture will be overseen by a committee chaired by Professor Niamh Brennan and will include Dr. Margaret Cullen and a third member who will be appointed in the coming days.”
“Professor Brennan and Dr. Cullen are both acknowledged experts in the fields of corporate governance and I am very grateful that they have agreed to contribute their time and expertise. The review of contractor fees, HR and other matters will be overseen by a committee chaired by Mr. Brendan McGinty and will include Ms Patricia King and a third member who will be appointed in the coming days. Mr. McGinty and Ms King will bring their vast experience and judgment to this task. I thank them for their commitment,” she said.