‘Culture of arrogance’ among some senior figures in RTÉ, says Taoiseach

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there is a “culture of arrogance” among senior figures within RTÉ, and there has been “poor governance” around decisions being made.

He was responding to questions from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said public trust in RTÉ has “crumbled” in the wake of a series of revelations relating to the broadcaster’s governance and finances, and that people “feel taken for fools”.

A vote is to take place on Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion calling for a legal amnesty for those who have not paid their TV licence fee in the wake of controversies which were revealed last year, and for the abolition of the TV licence system.

Instead, Sinn Féin is proposing a direct Exchequer-funded model.

Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions, Ms McDonald asked whether the Taoiseach plans to chase people through the courts for not paying their TV licence fee.

“Not one of the top brass at RTÉ have been held to account,” she said, arguing it is unfair to pursue members of the public for not paying the €160 fee.

Ms McDonald also accused Cabinet ministers of being divided on a new funding model for the State’s public service broadcaster.

She said Mr Varadkar has said previously that the current model is “outdated” and “belongs to a different time”, which she then used to urge the Taoiseach to “abolish it”.

“The Government must end the merry-go-round of dither, of delay, and contradiction now,” she said.

“Scrap the TV licence and replace it with Exchequer funding to ensure a better future for public service media.”

Mr Varadkar responded by asking whether Sinn Féin’s policy includes offering a rebate to those who have paid for their TV licence.

“I believe that many people should obey the law and I believe that many people should pay their taxes and pay their charges,” he said.

“And I think it would be an affront and an insult to the majority of decent, law-abiding citizens who have paid their TV licence fee to now grant an amnesty to those who didn’t. I think (that) would be profoundly unfair.”

He also raised concerns about a conflict of interest if a model of direct State funding was introduced.

“We know that there’s somebody in this House, who might be the head of government in the next government, who’s suing RTÉ at the moment.

“That will be huge conflict of interest, in my view, to have people who are suing RTÉ deciding how much money they get paid.

“That’s not the kind of democracy we want.

“That’s the kind of thing we’re starting to see happen in the United States and other places, and I definitely would not want that to be the case in our state.”

Ms McDonald took legal action against RTÉ in the High Court in 2022 over alleged defamation.