Remarks regarding the future funding of RTÉ, the state broadcaster, will be formally brought to the Cabinet’s attention soon by the Media Minister, Catherine Martin. This comes as she got hold of three fresh reports pertaining to the public service broadcaster’s scandalous governance situation. She assured reporters on Monday that she now has the culture and governance, staff and HR, and the final Mazars reports. However, she didn’t disclose any details about the outcomes.
“The reports are incredibly detailed and thorough, and would require several days to be thoroughly understood,” she further elaborated.
The government called upon Prof. Niamh Brennan from UCD to scrutinise the organisational framework of RTÉ during the financial debacle involving Ryan Tubridy the broadcaster found itself in last summer. Brennan had the authority to suggest modifications to establish a robust public accountability and evolve into a transparent, accountable organisation that practices openness.
After several months of bitter tension in RTÉ because of irresponsible governance and several other blunders, the Brennan report is reportedly poised to propose significant amendments to the broadcaster’s governance and financial structures.
Catherine Martin also utilised Brendan McGinty’s, a staff relations advisor, expertise to run a secondary review to analyse how RTÉ negotiates with contractors and presenters. The use of agents, fees, the ramifications on costs borne by RTÉ, and their governance were encompassed within his purview.
The Mazars, an accountancy firm, carried out the third review. They looked into RTÉ’s “barter account,” which is a unique account where advertising spots are used for payment of specific goods and services.
In the previous August, initial conclusions were drawn by Mazars stating that RTÉ’s expenditure on sport trips and client entertainment were “not subject” to any internal monitoring. Catherine Martin had previously expressed that such results raise concerns if the account was being utilised to circumvent strict supervision and conceal some purchases.
The Minister declared at a press briefing on Monday about her intention to swiftly progress with a Cabinet plan for RTÉ’s future. However, she refrained from mentioning the timeline for her proposals.