Results 5,761-5,780 of 20,410 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Ms Quill attended as well. On the issue around Ms Forbes, the fact is that on Thursday the public position was that she was on holidays, and on Friday it was said she was suspended. Was there any discussion of that at the meeting? Did that come up?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: I am asking about that inconsistency.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: The officials knew on Thursday.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: The officials knew that the public statement put out by RTÉ that Ms Forbes was on holidays that Thursday was not correct.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Right. The officials knew the statement put out by RTÉ was incorrect.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: It was reported that she was on holidays. Is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: That was what was being reported.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: I will ask about Mr. Coveney's role in RTÉ. Is his role strategy?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Mr. Coveney worked hand in glove with the director general-----

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: -----advising her.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: How many years has Mr. Coveney been in that role?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: You have been director of strategy for five years.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: You would have had a very close working relationship with Ms Forbes.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Did she ever discuss with you matters in relation to the retention of the top stars?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Let me put this to you. On numerous occasions, members of this committee have asked RTÉ management about the high levels of remuneration for the top talent, so to speak. The justification always was that they would walk. They said they had to try to retain them and there was a competitive market out there. You will have observed those meetings here. I cannot recall whether you were...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: I am sure you would have observed some of them as well. You would have heard reports back from those meetings and you would have been involved in preparations for them, along with Dee Forbes and other senior staff, as the head of strategy. Much play was made by the senior people at the top of RTÉ of the importance of retaining that talent. If that is the case, and you were head of...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: Did you-----

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: I have seen the grid.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: I will ask a very specific question about it. Have you ever discussed with Ms Forbes or other senior executive in RTÉ that whole area of having to pay significant salaries - what would be counted as very high salaries - or payments or fees, as they are sometimes referred to because they are contractors, to retain that talent? Was that necessary? Was there ever a discussion around the...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

Brian Stanley: As the head of strategy-----