LAST UPDATE | 21 Feb

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said it is being considered to bring RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). 

Varadkar informed Fine Gael’s parliamentary party meeting this evening of the consideration. 

It was reported last week that the Public Accounts Committee is set to recommend that RTÉ be brought under the remit of the C&AG. 

The move proposed by the PAC would allow for increased scrutiny and oversight of RTÉ by the C&AG and the committee.

RTÉ has been shrouded by rolling controversies over the last eight months around issues with finance, governance and culture at the organisation. Last week, it came under the spotlight again due to revelations regarding exit packages given to senior figures. 

The broadcaster confirmed today that it has received updated legal advice following the uproar about confidentiality clauses in the exit packages of senior staff.

A spokesperson told RTÉ News that the advice is now being considered by the broadcaster and that it is waiting to receive another piece of legal advice. 

Media Minister Catherine Martin’s spokesperson said she has received the updated legal advice and has been given a briefing by RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst the Chair of RTÉ Siún Ní Raghallaigh.

“Minister Martin will not be commenting until after it is published by RTÉ,” the spokesperson said. 

This comes after Bakhurst said on Monday the broadcaster would have updated advice from external lawyers “within the next couple of days” about “how far we can push transparency”.

Last week, it was revealed to the Oireachtas Media Committee by Bakhurst that RTÉ’s former financial controller Breda O’Keeffe got €450,000 in her exit package from the broadcaster in 2020.

Bakhurst subsequently released a statement on Saturday with details of how a number of executives at the national broadcaster left their posts. 

He confirmed Rory Coveney, former director of strategy at RTÉ, who left his role after they both agreed “it was best that he stand down”. He received an exit package.

He also confirmed Richard Collins, RTÉ’s former chief financial officer, “departed RTÉ by mutual agreement, with a binding confidentiality clause that was agreed to by both sides”. 

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Varadkar yesterday said he supports a cap on RTÉ exit payments while stating that confidentiality clauses “should be avoided” in the future.

Speaking to reporters at Government buildings, Varadkar said he had confidence in Bakhurst and chairwoman of the RTÉ board Siun Ni Raghallaigh, stating that they were “doing their best” to stabilise the organisation.

The Taoiseach said that he wants maximum transparency when it comes to exit packages at RTÉ.

“I understand that the director-general Kevin Bakhurst is getting legal advice on that and it may be the case that because of confidentiality clauses, it won’t be possible to disclose all the information that we’d like to see.

“But certainly, whatever is at the legal limit of possibilities, we want to see maximum transparency.”