RTÉ needs to show it has changed significantly, says new director-general

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The new director-general of RTÉ has said the broadcaster needs to show it has changed significantly in the wake of the controversy over undeclared payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy.

Kevin Bakhurst also said RTÉ needs to keep “downward pressure” on presenters’ pay as he attempts to restore confidence in the crisis-hit organisation.

RTÉ has been engulfed in turmoil since it admitted it had under-declared former Late Late Show host Tubridy’s earnings by €345,000 from 2017 to 2022.

The figure included three €75,000 annual payments received by Mr Tubridy for proposed public appearances for Renault, as part of a tripartite agreement involving the sponsor, RTÉ and the presenter.

The furore has since widened amid further disclosures about RTÉ’s internal financial, accounting and governance practices and its expenditure on corporate hospitality for advertising clients.

Media Minister Catherine Martin has since announced a number of probes into the governance of the national broadcaster.

In his first major act as RTÉ boss last week, Mr Bakhurst stood down the broadcaster’s executive board and replaced it with a temporary interim leadership team.

In an interview with the Sunday Business Post, he played down the prospect of RTÉ requiring a funding bailout from Government.

He told the paper: “We need to show that the organisation has changed significantly and is more accountable and more transparent and is worthy of being properly funded.”

He went on: “Lots of things are going to be different – primarily the way we oversee and govern commercial and the relationship between commercial and public service.

“We need to make sure that where there’s expenditure on client hospitality, that it’s properly documented, properly approved, and properly accounted for.”

With regard to shrinking the size of the organisation, Mr Bakhurst said he will keep all options under review.

“As things stand at the moment, you know, we need to stabilise the ship. I want to be ambitious and drive on with some initiatives, but a lot of them are about pricing and we need to see what’s happening with finances.

“I can’t take any options off the table. You’ve got to work with the money. We need to take some strategic decisions about the sort of areas that we want to remain doing.”

He added: “We need to keep the pressure downward on presenter pay. We had extremely good discussions with Paddy Kielty.

“For someone with his reputation and experience, I think he’s come at a very reasonable price.”

Co Down comedian Kielty was unveiled earlier this year as Mr Tubridy’s successor as host of the Late Late Show.

Last month he revealed he will be paid €250,000 per 30-show season and has signed a contract for three seasons.

He will also get a one-off payment of €20,000 for pre-production between now and September, but has waived a further €50,000 worth of travel expenses available to him under his contract.