Richard Collins resigns as RTÉ chief financial officer

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

RTÉ chief financial officer Richard Collins has resigned, the national broadcaster has confirmed.

Director general Kevin Bakhurst delivered the update to staff on Wednesday.

“Richard Collins has tendered his resignation as CFO of RTÉ. Richard will work on a handover and RTÉ is in the process of identifying a replacement CFO,” RTÉ said in a statement.

“Richard will assist in any ongoing processes to the extent that this may be required.

“We wish to thank Richard for his hard work and contribution to RTÉ over the past three years and to wish him every success in the future.”

Mr Collins was one of the RTÉ executives who appeared before Oireachtas committees to answer questions about the controversy engulfing the national broadcaster.

The controversy arose in relation to fees to star presenter Ryan Tubridy, but widened out to general expenditure at the broadcaster as well as governance and accounting practices.

In one committee appearance, Mr Collins said he was not sure what exactly he was paid, before stating that it was “in and around” €200,000.

Mr Bakhurst had said in July that Mr Collins would be “working with us now for another couple of weeks” to help RTÉ provide documents to committees.