Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
322. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of any commercial arrangement RTÉ had with any other car manufacturer other than a company (details supplied) which resulted in payments to a barter account, and or an increase in salary for any RTÉ employee or board member. [34264/23]
View answerOn Tuesday last week, the Government approved proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements:
• an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,
• an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees and HR matters
The purpose of this Examination is to support the restoration of public trust in RTÉ:
• firstly, by identifying any corporate governance and cultural weaknesses that have led to the current failings and recommending actions to remediate identified weaknesses; and,
• secondly, by reviewing issues and making recommendations in relation to how RTÉ engages presenters and contractors and the fees paid to them, particularly for high earning contractors. The review will also examine issues in relation to the use of short-term employment contracts and the impact of current practices on gender, equality, and diversity.
I have not been alerted to any commercial arrangement RTÉ had with any other car manufacturer other than the company to which the Deputy refers, which resulted in payments to a barter account, and or an increase in salary for any RTÉ employee or board member. This would be a matter for the Board of RTÉ in the first instance.
In addition, I am exercising powers under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to appoint a forensic accountant who will focus in the first instance on the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. The procurement process is at an advanced stage is expected to be completed shortly.
I do not wish to pre-empt any findings that may be made by the forensic accountant in relation to the barter account, whether in relation to the company set out in the details supplied or any other matter.
