RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh has suggested “binning” the word “talent” amid the payments scandal.
The broadcaster was plunged into chaos last week when it was revealed that Ryan Tubridy’s earnings were publicly understated by €345,000 over the last six years.
The issue was identified during a routine audit of RTÉ’s 2022 accounts, prompting an independent review of the matter.
Last Thursday, the RTÉ Board issued an apology over the error, and later Ryan also apologised for not questioning RTÉ over his published earnings.
The scandal resulted in the suspension of RTÉ’s Director General Dee Forbes, who later resigned from her role.
The RTÉ Board and executives appeared in front of an Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, to discuss the ongoing payments scandal.
In her opening statement, RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh said: “Finally, can I say something about the use of the word ‘talent’? Words matter and the term, as it is currently used, reinforces a ‘them and us’ culture in RTÉ.”
“The first step in cultural change is to consign the term ‘talent’ to the dustbin”
Among RTÉ’s five objectives following the controversy, Siún Ní Raghallaigh says there must be an examination of how it spends money, and a change in its culture | More: https://t.co/oIpUCa2ORg pic.twitter.com/pRbMofmm2W
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 29, 2023
“It implies some have greater worth than others. The first step in cultural change is to consign this term to the dustbin,” she suggested.
“I wish to restate the fact that over 1800 people work for RTÉ and I apologise to each and every one of them for the distress they are experiencing.”
“Together we have a job of work to do in to restore their confidence.”
