The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Dáil has released a report suggesting that RTÉ may have intentionally distorted the reported remuneration of its top 10 earners. The study also accuses RTÉ of trying to hide its agreement to cover unmentioned payments to ex-celebrity presenter, Ryan Tubridy.
The report criticised Breda O’Keeffe, RTÉ’s former chief financial officer, for not attending meetings, stating that her absence impeded the committee’s operation. It also raised questions about the arrangement of an exit package worth €450,000 and the lack of a business rationale for the decision.
Additionally, the report disclosed an indication of an attempt by RTÉ to work around standard rules and regulations, including concealing its supposed coverage of Mr Tubridy’s contract and related payments. It was based on extensive hearings and heaps of documentation received since the controversy surfaced last summer.
The PAC’s report also pointed out a note from a May 2020 meeting between the broadcaster and the committee. The note points to a promise by Dee Forbes, then Director General, to guarantee certain payments to Mr Tubridy.
Furthermore, the report questioned RTÉ’s record-keeping practices, due to the substantial underreporting of its top 10 earners’ salaries. The PAC concluded that considering the evidence provided, there is a chance that RTÉ knowingly distorted these figures.
The finalised report highlights Mr Tubridy’s €120,000 under-declared earnings between 2017 and 2019 as a factor considerably eroding public trust. It also indicates the mismanagement of the so-called barter account, used for some payments to Mr Tubridy, which strayed from established control mechanisms hence posing tremendous risks.
The barter account’s usage echoed characteristics of a clandestine “slush fund” – an unmonitored company stash as described in the report. Based on the evidence at its disposal, the publication supports former RTÉ chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh’s assertion that using it to process two transactions for Mr Tubridy was a calculated deception.
The finished versions of the report remained confidential, accessible for physical review by members of the PAC; digital distribution was avoided. Despite this, key recommendations have been made public, chief among them being a call to the Government to reincorporate RTÉ within the jurisdiction of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Furthermore, the report advises against any future “side deals” akin to Ryan Tubridy’s 2020-2025 agreement and advocates for written policies on promotional activities, social media use, and negotiations with hosts and their agents. It insists RTÉ ensures clauses protecting confidentiality are absent in severance contracts and includes terms obligating former staff to assist with investigations or enquiries, such as those by Oireachtas Committees.
The report also suggests RTÉ disclose in its yearly financial report the wages of staffers earning above €150,000 and amounts paid to former staff who received over €150,000 in severance lump sums.
Crucially, failed attempts by both the PAC and the Oireachtas Media Committee to hold meetings with former director general Dee Forbes, and Jim Jennings, RTÉ’s content director, due to ill-health, led to this recommendation.
The Audit and Risk Committee at RTÉ has been deemed adequately prepared to carry out proper internal monitoring and auditing, provide internal reporting, and suggest improvements to the broadcaster’s financial controls, according to a recent report. Additionally, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is anticipating a status report by June from the Department of Social Protection pertaining to the ongoing investigation into ‘bogus self employment’ at RTÉ, an issue for which the broadcaster has earmarked a substantial amount of money.
The committee’s report criticises RTÉ for poorly handling PRSI classifications for a considerable number of employees in the context of ‘bogus self employment’. It also warns of potential further financial liaibilities for RTÉ, which could potentially amount to millions of euros, given that few individuals are covered by the current settlement.
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