Ireland’s public broadcaster, RTE, must rebalance its focus away from personality presenters and back to its public service ethos, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister has said.
Micheal Martin said there was a need for a “root and branch” examination of how RTE operated.
His comments come amid the continuing furore that has engulfed the broadcaster following revelations it under-reported the salary paid to star presenter, Ryan Tubridy (pictured) by failing to disclose €345,000 ($A561,000) worth of additional payments to him between 2017 and 2022.
The crisis has since widened amid further revelations about RTE’s internal financial, accounting and governance practices.
Much of the focus has been on the workings of a United Kingdom-based ‘barter’ account used by RTE to pay for certain services, tickets and trips related to corporate client entertaining.
Some Irish Parliamentarians have branded it a slush fund.
The Cabinet is expected sign off on terms of reference for a Government-commissioned external review into culture and governance at RTE.
Minister for the Media, Catherine Martin is also set to use powers under Ireland’s Broadcasting Act to appoint a designated auditor to examine RTE’s accounts.
RTE operates on a dual funding model, with 55 per cent of its income coming from a licence fee. The rest is generated through commercial advertising revenues.
Mr Martin said the pay and conditions of lower earners in RTE also had to be looked at, as he expressed concern at reports of some workers being employed on effectively ‘zero hours’ contracts.
However, he did not favour a pay cap on earnings within RTE.
“I would much prefer to look at the pay and conditions of those who are not earning anything like that in RTE and get that right,” he said.
Dublin, 5 July 2023
