RTÉ approved 133 external activities for staff in February and March

James Cox

RTÉ approved 133 external activities for staff in February and March.

The broadcaster said less than one per cent were to the value of more than €10,000 - while 50 per cent were for no benefit or payment.

Forty-eight per cent of the activities approved were up to the value of €5,000 for staff.

RTÉ initially had planned on releasing the names of those who were approved and a description of their work. However, the Data Protection Commissioner said legislation would be required to do that.

RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst said: “In order to provide greater transparency around external activities, it was my intention to publish details as announced previously. Over recent months, RTÉ revised the Register of External Activities to address various concerns but the Data Protection Commission is firmly of the view that specific legislative authority is required to publish the level of detail originally intended.

"RTÉ has made a written request to the Department to proceed with legislation, and we acknowledge the readiness of the DPC to assist in this process."