Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
343. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the commencement dates for each of the reviews commissioned by her Department (details supplied); the number of days that have been worked up to date on each review individually; the daily rate financial cost of each review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17924/24]
View answerOn 4 July 2023, following the agreement of my Government colleagues, to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ I announced the appointment of independent Expert Advisory Committees to carry out reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other matters in RTÉ.
In accordance with sanction conveyed by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the daily rate for members of the Expert Advisory Committees is as follows:
• €700 per diem for a Chairperson;
• €600 per diem for a member.
Travel and subsistence is provided in accordance with the relevant Circular (currently Circular 19/2023).
The chairperson and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters have opted to waive their fees.
Following procurement competitions run by my Department with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement:
• on 15 August 2023 Crowe Advisory Ireland were appointed to provide professional advisory services to support the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture;
• on 15 August 2023 Crowe Advisory Ireland were appointed to provide professional advisory services to support the Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters; and
• on 12 July Mazars were appointed to examine the barter account and identify any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
On 23 October 2023, McCann Fitzgerald were appointed as legal advisors to the Expert Advisory Committees.
Details pertaining to the daily rates of these contracts cannot be disclosed as that information is commercially sensitive.
Total expenditure to date for each of the reviews is as follows:
• €64,697 on the Review of Governance and Culture;
• €184,239 on the Review of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters; and
• €286,160 on the examination of the barter account and identification of any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ.
