Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First of all, I want to acknowledge Ms Ní Raghallaigh's statement in that it is entirely correct that the internal audit procedure is what brought this to light, and the actions of the board following the internal audit is what brought it to further attention. I appreciate that, and I think those measures were taken in good faith. Additionally, all of the information which the board has provided has been provided voluntarily to us. Over the last three weeks, via Oireachtas committees, we have established the facts in a way that has not cost the taxpayer additional money, and which has not involved a significant number of barristers. That, in some part, was because of the co-operation that RTÉ provided, and the manner in which it provided the information. I should note that.

I have no doubt that Mr. Bakhurst wants to come in and talk to us about the future of broadcasting, and so on. Unfortunately, that is a matter for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. Our remit is essentially around the facts and figures, and so we will have to continue to go back to the past before he can move on to the future.

I would appreciate Mr. Lynch's assistance, because he might be more familiar with the events at the time and it might help us establish what has happened to date. Would he accept that the tripartite agreement was an attempt to facilitate additional income for Mr. Tubridy as part of his overall contract negotiations?