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Green Party Minister for Media Catherine Martin has called on RTÉ to focus more on “gender equality” in the aftermath of the recent financial scandals, saying that the controversy calls for a “reset.”
The statement comes in response to the new Director General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, who announced in an email to RTÉ staff this morning that he is standing down the RTÉ Executive Board on his first day on the new job, saying that RTÉ under his leadership would be committed to “listening” to employees.
Reacting to Bakhurst’s statement, Minister Martin said she “welcomed” his remarks.
“It is right that his first action this morning was to advise staff of his plans,” she said.
“I note in particular his proposals for a staff consultation group and employee survey and that he is planning a review of roles and grades, pay, and gender equality.”
She added: “As the national broadcaster, which rightly challenges other institutions, RTÉ must be leading out in terms of equality and inclusion.”
She further added that RTÉ could “restore public confidence” by ending “secret decision making” and employing “rigorous governance processes”, which she called “vitally important.”
“Now is the time for a reset right across RTÉ and I await the Director General’s further announcements later today in respect of the new Interim Leadership Team,” she said.
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