Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It was just those two points I wish to come in on. No. R2275 C is in relation to the various questions. I refer to point No. 4 on the front page.

I raise this because it might be something that could be picked up in a recommendation. It states:

As Chief Executive and an ex-officio member of the Board of RTÉ, as provided for under statute, the former DG had the authority to bind RTÉ to such an agreement. The guarantee was within the capacity of the DG to provide and it is clear from subsequent actions that both the Agent and the DG (and by extension RTÉ) regarded this verbal guarantee to be binding. However, the former DG never sought legal advice on this issue from the RTÉ legal department.

There is probably a power imbalance there with regard to oversight. I will expand on what I mean. On page 5, it states: “Was the Director of Legal Services aware of the draft invoice...? No.” The responses to questions Nos. 20 to 26 clearly demonstrate the point I am trying to make.

When it comes to recommendations, that is one we certainly should consider including in the report.