RTÉ appoints new chief financial officer as exit package turmoil rolls on

Muireann Duffy

RTÉ has confirmed the appointment of Mari Hurley as the broadcaster's new chief financial officer (CFO).

Ms Hurley takes over the position from Richard Collins, who left the role in October amid the fallout of the payments scandal at the national broadcaster.

Ms Hurley has previously held the role of CFO at AA Ireland, the operator of the National Lottery, Premier Lotteries Ireland, and the Sherry FitzGerald Group.

Her appointment comes amid continuing turmoil at RTÉ following more recent revelations surrounding exit packages paid to former senior executives, including Mr Collins and his predecessor, Breda O'Keeffe.

Details of a €450,000 exit payment made to Ms O'Keeffe emerged as RTÉ representatives appeared before the Oireachtas Media Committee last month.

RTÉ drew further criticism when director general Kevin Bakhurst explained he could not divulge the details of other such deals, citing confidentiality and data protection concerns.

Questions over the role of the RTÉ board in approving the exit deals then led to the resignation of the board's chair, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, last week after Minister for Media Catherine Martin failed to express confidence in her during a live interview with RTÉ's Prime Time.

Ms Martin has since faced strong criticism over her handling of the matter, appearing before the Oireachtas Media Committee on Tuesday to face questions from TDs and Senators.

Accused of making a "serious blunder", Ms Martin told the committee she did everything she could to avoid saying she had no confidence in Ms Ní Raghallaigh, but claimed she had been misinformed on two occasions by Ms Ní Raghallaigh about the board’s involvement in approving an exit package for a former executive.