Committee of Public Accounts to analyse evidence presented so far and resume examination of RTÉ in autumn

The Committee met with current and former representatives of RTÉ on 29 June and 13 July and met with Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly on 11 July to examine commercial arrangements entered into by RTÉ and its presenters, including those underwritten by RTÉ, which have impacted on and relate to the expenditure of public monies.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Committee has held three engagements on the on-going controversy surrounding the payments by RTÉ to Ryan Tubridy through his agent Noel Kelly, and has received a significant amount of documentation from RTÉ and from Mr Tubridy and Mr Kelly.

“The Committee has requested additional information from RTÉ, and has also requested sight of the second Grant Thornton report, the report of the forensic accountant appointed by Minister Catherine Martin and any interim reports arising from the wider governance review of RTÉ commissioned by the Minister as soon as these become available.

“The Dáil has risen for the summer recess so the Committee will take the opportunity to review the evidence presented to it so far, consider further reports as they become available and will meet again in public in the autumn to further examine the matter. The Committee intends to engage with witnesses who have not yet appeared before it and, if it deems it necessary, will consider the use of powers of compellability.

“However, should substantial new information come to light, or should witnesses who have not yet come before the Committee become available, the Committee may deem it necessary to a call a meeting before the Dáil resumes.”

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.