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

Last year in Ireland, we marked 100 years as a democratic and independent state. We are now one of the oldest continuous democracies in the world and our ability to fulfil our destiny as a free and independent country has depended, in part, on freedom of expression, a free media and a strong public service broadcast sector. Public service broadcasting from RTÉ and others has been a foundation stone in our development as a democratic state and free nation. We know that has now been very badly damaged.

Last week's revelations about a barter account used for secret payments has angered the Irish public and alarmed the Government and Members of the Oireachtas. Further revelations about additional barter accounts yesterday is another disquieting development. It is essential that public trust in RTÉ is restored following the revelations of the past few weeks. The Government has agreed to proposals for a root-and-branch examination of RTÉ. We have called repeatedly for RTÉ's board and executives to provide full transparency and, to date, full transparency has been absent. This must change immediately. RTÉ representatives appearing before the Oireachtas media committee today must provide full answers to all questions that are posed. The drip-feed of information to committees and the Government is doing untold damage. I spoke to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, last night and again this morning, and she is going to meet with the chairperson and the incoming director general again in person tomorrow to impress this upon them.

The Minister has spoken to the chairperson today and has received an outline of the board's position, particularly around the deeply unsatisfactory nature in which information is being provided. The Minister has been informed that the chairperson is now writing to the deputy director general and the incoming director general outlining this totally unacceptable position that has eroded their trust and confidence in the executive. In this context, the board has requested that swift action be taken and the chairperson will speak more on this at the media committee today.

We absolutely understand that the erosion of confidence has done enormous damage and it is imperative that full clarity around these and all issues is forthcoming without further delay. For this reason, the Minister, Deputy Martin, is bringing forward her meeting with the chairperson and the acting director general to tomorrow, as I mentioned earlier, and we intend to have a forensic accountant in place next week, given the urgency of this matter, if that is at all possible. The chairperson has also confirmed that the board is going to initiate a further investigation, led by Grant Thornton, of Toy Show The Musical.

In answer to the Deputy's questions, the forensic accountant will be in place next week. That is the intention. There is a procurement procedure that has to be followed but we are confident that can be done next week. I do not know about the monthly meeting structure but I will come back to the Deputy on that point before the end of the day.

To answer the Deputy's question, I have confidence in the board and the executive board but I am also conscious that this is an emerging situation and I reserve the right to change my position on that based on what happens in the coming days.

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