Media Minister Catherine Martin has expressed uncertainty over the proposed “hybrid model” for future RTÉ funding, warning it may represent a negative combination of two systems. Her statement comes amid the government’s recent publication of three reports highlighting various deficiencies within the national broadcaster’s culture, governance, and human resources policies.
There’s a looming shift in focus towards the Coalition’s verdict on the forthcoming public service broadcasting funding. Nevertheless, Ms Martin has shrugged off the proposed solution, favoured by some government members, that suggests a lessened household fee supplemented by annual exchequer funding. Her remarks hint at an enduring and unresolved discord within the government over this matter.
The TD for Dublin Rathdown, alleged to support full exchequer funding for RTÉ despite considerable opposition from within the Coalition, warned of the potential downside of such a hybrid model claiming it wasn’t recommended to her and urged caution to avoid potential drawbacks.
According to Ms Martin, a hybrid model might lead to an additional 500,000 households becoming eligible for the lesser fee, presumably consisting of those individuals who either are exempt from paying a TV licence fee or evade this responsibility.
She claimed: “In my view, we’re left with two systems – either the revenue-collected or the exchequer-funded model.”
Ms Martin reassured that whilst there are contrasting views, the Cabinet unanimously agrees that the funding decision requires resolution before the summer.
The unveiling of these reports signals a fresh stage in the persistent RTÉ controversy, with past behaviours casting shadows over and causing governmental concerns for both the broadcaster and the exchequer. Fears remain that hefty additional sums to address the so-called bogus self-employment practices at Montrose may need to be uncovered.
The Tuesday-published Governance and Culture review, led by Professor Niamh Brennan, asserted that in light of its governance impact, RTÉ’s funding model warrants a push towards sustainability. It cited the failure to fill board vacancies and neglecting its skills diversity as factors contributing to last year’s upheaval within the national broadcaster.
A scrutiny of RTÉ, revealed “significant flaws in its governance and corporate culture”, resulting in 90 suggested improvements. These include stricter criteria on the categorisation of RTÉ as a public or private State organisation. The assessment argued that the uncertainty in classifying RTÉ as a private/public entity was causing mixed expectations, making it tough for those responsible for RTÉ’s management. They discovered that “the absence of a consistent and forecast-able financial model, coupled with severe fiscal strains, forced RTÉ to reduce expenditure substantially.”
A Mazars audit noted that there was “no valid rationale” for numerous notable transactions being processed via the notorious ‘barter account’, including a €150,000 payment to Ryan Tubridy. They also pointed out how RTÉ misplaced financial documents related to three-year transactions on the account during an office relocation, describing a “considerable shortfall” in the record maintenance of the account.
The Independent Review of Contractor Fees, Personnel Resources (HR), and Other Matters at RTÉ, headed by labour relations advisor Brendan McGinty, created 26 advices. They provoked that future proposed departures, severance packages, or early retirement schemes at RTÉ should be approved by the board, incorporating fiscal or formula limits in their evaluations.
Additionally, the audit advised RTÉ to overhaul its payment strategy for hosts and implement wage bands for its broadcasting hosts. Further, it proposed that RTÉ should disclose the expenses and total compensation, including wages, presents, and hospitality, together with a declaration of individual interests for all leading figures earning €200,000 or more annually.