Adrian Lynch confirmed as deputy director-general of RTÉ

Cillian Sherlock, PA

Adrian Lynch has been confirmed as deputy director-general of RTÉ on a permanent basis, after filling the position on an interim basis following the outbreak of financial controversy at the national broadcaster.

Mr Lynch, who had been channel controller for RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, was additionally appointed to the vacant role on an interim basis in June after a scandal involving undisclosed payments and commercial arrangements with presenter Ryan Tubridy engulfed the organisation.

In the early days of the controversy, Mr Lynch was a figurehead in delivering RTÉ’s view that former director-general Dee Forbes was the only member of the executive board who had all the necessary information to know publicly declared earnings for Tubridy could have been wrong.

At the time, he said there had been a “massive breach of trust” with RTÉ staff and the public.

Mr Lynch also had editorial responsibility for the decision to keep Tubridy off-air in the immediate aftermath of the revelations, saying to have the former highest-paid earner presenting his radio show during the controversy would be “untenable”.

He appeared before crunch Oireachtas committee hearings several times and apologised amid allegations of non-cooperation and a “drip-feed” of information from the broadcaster as requests for documents continued to mount.

Following the arrival of new director-general Kevin Bakhurst, Mr Lynch was appointed to the newly formed interim leadership team which was designed to steer the broadcaster through the widening controversy.

He took on responsibility as director of audiences, channels, and marketing.

The board has since agreed to a proposal from Mr Bakhurst to confirm Mr Lynch’s position on a permanent basis.

His promotion and additional responsibilities at the cash-strapped broadcaster does not involve an increased salary.