RTÉ’s Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch has insisted that the “lucrative” car deals that some of their contractors receive have “nothing to do” with the broadcaster.
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.
When asked about brand ambassadorships and car deals, Adrian Lynch said he knows of one contractor who has a commercial deal with a car company – but explained it has nothing to do with their RTÉ contract.
He said that person who has been given a car is a staff member in RTÉ, but he did not name them as they are not present at the Oireachtas meeting today.
Mr. Lynch added that the deals, which he branded “lucrative”, must be cleared with their line manager.
