Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects a reconstruction of RTÉ, with particular reference to recent issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46002/23]
View answerFollowing the serious governance issues that came to light in RTÉ, on 4 July I announced the commissioning of an independent root and branch examination of RTÉ.
This comprises two parallel reviews, namely of Governance and Culture; and Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and other matters in RTÉ. The reviews are overseen by Expert Advisory Committees, respectively chaired by Professor Niamh Brennan and Mr Brendan McGinty. These reviews are in progress and will report to me in the New Year on their findings and recommendations for reform, which I expect RTÉ to fully take into account.
In addition, under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 I appointed forensic accountants, Mazars, to examine the RTÉ barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. I published an interim report from Mazars on 25 August which identified significant failings in the governance of the barter account. I expect a further detailed report in late November focused on the processing of transactions on the barter account and any other off balance sheet accounts identified.
To date, the Board and Director General of RTÉ have also announced a range of initial reforms they are undertaking, including revising the terms of reference of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board, standing down the Executive Board and establishing a new Interim Leadership Team in its place, enhancing and formalising communication between the Board and Leadership Team, making reforms to the operation of the barter account and greater engagement with staff.
I expect that the combination of the initial reforms already in progress, such as those set out here, coupled with reforms that will be introduced on foot of the recommendations of reviews in progress will lead to significant changes in the governance and management of RTÉ. These reforms are imperative to restore trust in RTÉ, which has been badly damaged by the series of revelations over these past number of months.
