Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the previous RTÉ chair, sought to arrange a phone call with Catherine Martin, the Minister for Arts and Media, but was unsuccessful. This took place immediately before her resignation, during a fast-paced series of dialogues. Despite the lack of a phone call, Ms. Ní Raghallaigh stepped down from her position after reassuring Ms. Martin that she would do so if she got a letter expressing dismay at her inability to communicate accurate data about the board’s approval of an exit package for the former RTÉ’s chief financial officer.
The package of documents delivered to the Oireachtas media committee provides details about a series of telephone exchanges between Ms. Ní Raghallaigh and the department on February 22nd. It confirms that Ms. Ní Raghallaigh, at 10am, clarified that the remuneration committee had given their consent on Richard Collins’ deal.
The core of the issue stems from Ms. Ní Raghallaigh’s initial assertion that she had clarified to the department the board’s involvement in the approval of the package, but she later misremembered and informed Ms. Martin that this was not the case. After Ms. Martin announced publicly that the board played no part in this, her confidence in Ms. Ní Raghallaigh dwindled, leading to the RTÉ chair’s stark resignation.
At around 2pm that same day, Triona Quill, a high-ranking official, reached out to Ms. Ní Raghallaigh and communicated the Minister’s unease. In response, the chair recalled a phone call she made to the ex-secretary general in October announcing that an agreement had been reached. Ms. Ní Raghallaigh counter-argued a claim by the official, insisting that her use of the term “imagined” was in reference to what she believed the secretary general informed the Minister in October. She emphasised that her choice of words is now being misconstrued and reiterated three times that she had informed the Department about the remuneration committee’s role.
In the same conversation, it was mentioned to Ms Ní Raghallaigh that Ms Martin was contemplating penning a letter signifying her dissatisfaction. Mere thirty minutes afterwards, based on the recorded note, Ms Ní Raghallaigh called Feargal Ó Coigligh, the department’s Secretary General, expressing her displeasure towards the possible anticipation of a letter from the Minister. She indicated if such a letter came, it would be a direct blow to her confidence as chair, and subsequently make her feel incapable to carry on in her role.
Katherine Licken, the ex-Secretary-General, later in the day, informed Mr Ó Coigligh that she had zero memory of receiving the news that Mr Collins’ departure package was sanctioned by the remuneration committee.
Close to 7pm, the Secretary General called Ms Ní Raghallaigh with the news that Ms Martin was set to make an appearance on Prime Time and if queried, she wouldn’t be able to hide the fact that she was supplied with misleading information, and had decided to send the letter requesting for a formal meeting.
Upon hearing this, Ms Ní Raghallaigh voiced her discontent and indicated her intent to resign if she gets the letter. She also expressed her willingness to converse with the Minister over the phone. The former chair claimed that she developed a suspicion that there was a scheme involving the letter and the Prime Time appearance at this juncture. An hour later, the assistant secretary made the final call to Ms Ní Raghallaigh informing her of Ms Martin’s decision to disperse the letter.
Also enclosed in the document pack was a concise letter from Ms Martin, detailing how she was asked about the board’s engagement in Mr Collins’ exit scheme. She was informed that the board was not involved which was later admitted to be a mistake and that the Remuneration Committee has indeed sanctioned Mr Collins’ severance package in October of 2023.
Ms Martin expressed her profound disappointment in her letter, about not being supplied the right information on this crucial issue. A one-to-one meeting the next morning at 10 am was then proposed for further discussions. On the morning of the following day, Ms Ní Raghallaigh announced her resignation.
This situation begs the question – “Is Catherine Martin’s political career at risk?”
Ms Martin detailed 12 instances when she met with Ms Ní Raghallaigh following the onset of the RTÉ crisis that came to light on the 22nd of June last year. This information was shared in response to queries by committee members regarding the degree of her involvement and after Ms Ní Raghallaigh refuted in her declaration the claim that there were routine or planned monthly sessions, also stating that she has had merely “a handful” of direct interactions with Ms Martin.
Ms Martin offered additional information about meetings she held with Ms Ní Raghallaigh on the 7th of December, 2022, the 13th of February, 2023, and the 10th of May, along with newly appointed Director General Kevin Bakhurst.
She said, “Over the 15 months of her tenure, I have had 15 meetings with the former chair.”
Don’t forget to listen to our Inside Politics Podcast for the most recent insights and discussions. Subscribe for push notifications to receive the finest news, analysis and commentary directly on your mobile phone. Stay current with The Irish Times on WhatsApp.