Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

That depends on how they are dealt with under freedom of information legislation. There is a requirement that where such a disclosure is made, the person absents themselves from the meeting. The legislation provides that a member does not just disclose the conflict of interest but also must take action such as removing oneself from a decision-making process where the conflict might apply. It also recognises that with our small population, it is impossible to pick people in the broadcasting area who may not have a conflict of interest with broadcasting institutions. Any freelance journalist, for example, could be contributing to a RTE programme for which they would be paid or could be working for an independent radio station. It is difficult to find people with the relevant experience that might benefit such a board without having a conflict of interest. It is a subtle balance to decide whether a conflict of interest is so fundamental it precludes the board member from discussing an issue or whether the issue itself is merely an everyday matter. That decision must lie with the board.

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