Kevin Bakhurst announced big changes within RTÉ in an email to staff this morning, on his first official day as Director-General.
The broadcaster’s new boss, who took over from Dee Forbes, confirmed the disbandment of the Executive Board, which will be replaced with a temporary interim leadership team to continue running the organisation.
In the email, Mr Bakhurst condemned the “shameful events” of the past few weeks, and committed to changing the culture in RTÉ.
He also announced the establishment of a Register of Interests for staff and contractors, which means all presenters at the station may be forced to declare their salaries.
RTÉ previously only shared the salaries of their top 10 highest-paid presenters.
In the email, Mr Bakhurst said: “As part of my commitment to increased openness and transparency, we are expediting the establishment of a Register of Interests for staff and contractors, in consultation with the TUG.
“I have asked RTÉ’s Freedom of Information Officer to take the lead in a scoping out this important process and to look at RTÉ’s legal obligations as well as the operation of registers and declarations of interest in the civil service and in broadcasters internationally.”
“In addition, Acting Interim Director General, Adrian Lynch has written to all relevant line managers in RTÉ seeking clarification on any potential breaches of RTÉ’s journalism and content guidelines and meetings are underway in this regard.
“This is long overdue and as new cases come to light which continue damage trust in RTÉ, I’m sure you will recognise the urgency and importance of this process.”
You can read Mr Bakhurst’s full email to staff here.
RTÉ was plunged into chaos last month 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.
The RTÉ Board issued an apology over the error, and Ryan later 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.
Days after the news hit headlines, the RTÉ Board and executives arrived at Leinster House to provide evidence to the joint committee on tourism, culture, arts, sport and media amid the ongoing scandal.
The following day, they arrived at Leinster House once again, this time to face questioning from the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee.
During the initial hearing, it emerged that RTÉ underwrote a commercial sponsorship of Ryan by Renault.
RTÉ labelled invoices of €75,000 payments as “consultancy fees” and the now-infamous barter account was used to pay them.
Notably absent from Leinster House on both occasions were Ryan, his agent Noel Kelly and former Director General Dee Forbes.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called on the three parties to appear before an Oireachtas Committee.
Ryan and Noel later offered to help the Oireachtas Media Committee this week with their inquiries into the payments scandal.
A letter from Hayes Solicitors, sent to the chair of the media committee Niamh Smyth, stated: “Mr Tubridy and Mr Kelly wish to fully cooperate and assist with your Committee’s investigations”.
It’s understood Ryan and his agent will face six hours of questioning when they meet with the Committee on Tuesday.
