Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Would Mr. Lynch not try to lead from the front? He has been given an opportunity by getting this interim job. Would he not have the balls to meet Ryan Tubridy and his agent and try to negotiate a deal? The taxpayers are paying this man for not being on air. As far as I am concerned, according to the RTÉ statement, he does not seem to be the problem, because RTÉ has put up its hands and admitted it made a mistake. If RTÉ is saying Ryan Tubridy has made no mistake, why not put him back on air? It is costing taxpayers money all the time he is off air. Mr. Lynch has been given an opportunity. Would he not say to himself he will sort out RTÉ? If I were him and I were given the job, that is what I would do. We could wait four weeks for another report and a further six weeks for another one, and before we know it, it will be Christmas and then the summer holidays again.

The public is paying the executive board to look after RTÉ. It has a free run. In fairness, nobody can compete with RTÉ, and I am not just saying that for the sake of it. What is Mr. Lynch doing about this? Is there any chance of him lifting up the phone, contacting Ryan Tubridy's agent and asking him to meet to negotiate Ryan Tubridy's position? When the negotiations were going on with Noel Kelly in respect of Ryan Tubridy, who signed them off? Who signed off on the contract? Moreover, who else was in the room? Maybe there was an elephant in the room that no one saw. Was there anybody in the room? These are simple questions.

I come from Dundalk, County Louth. Everywhere I go, I have never seen such anguish. It is unreal. Do any of the witnesses have the gumption to grab this by the scruff of the neck and sort out RTÉ? If they do, I will support them.