Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the completion of the two independent reviews into governance and culture in RTÉ and into contractor fees, HR and other matters; the reason no time limitation is set out in the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34644/23]
View answer129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the completion of the report by the forensic accountant into RTÉ's accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34645/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
On Tuesday last week, the Government agreed to 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
As set out in my statement following the Government meeting that day, I expect to receive the final reports within six months of the commencement of the examination, with interim reports submitted as required. However, as the two elements of the Examination progress, findings may prompt a widening of the scope at my discretion, including those arising from subsequent Grant Thornton reports, the work of the Public Accounts Committee and Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media, and issues arising from their deliberations. I have announced today, the third members of each of the two Expert Advisory Committees and I expect to meet the two Committees shortly.
In addition, I am exercising powers under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act to appoint a forensic accountant who will focus in the first instance on the barter accounts and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. The procurement process for this has now been finalised and I have appointed Mazars to undertake this work. I expect that Mazars will commence this work immediately.
