Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am somebody who believes you do not make judgments about things or people until you know the facts. It is a basic principle of justice that people are innocent and should be afforded the principle that they are innocent before they are found guilty. It is on that basis that I say I have confidence in the board and that I have confidence in the remaining members of the executive. Obviously, if new facts emerge of which we are not aware, that changes things, but I do not think it is right in a democracy or from a basic decency perspective to express a lack of confidence in somebody before you know the facts and before you know whether they have done anything wrong. I would not like that approach from any of my Ministers, quite frankly. That is the answer to the Deputy's question in that regard.

There will be a opportunity to question executives and board members. They will be coming before committees tomorrow and the day after and there will be a good opportunity for Members to ask their questions and seek answers and I expect that to be done. In addition to that, there will be a further statement from the board at 3 p.m. today, citing more details, and Grant Thornton is doing ongoing work in respect of the ten best paid RTÉ personalities to confirm there were no secret or concealed payments made to them and to establish the facts around the payments that were made between 2017 and 2019. I do not have those facts yet but I want to see them as soon as they are available.

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