Results 2,381-2,400 of 10,372 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Yes. When can we be furnished with that detail? This is important. Mr. Kelly is a key player in all this and we have not got to this yet. How soon can the witnesses get us that information?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We will get to you. I will give you that chance at the end.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Turning to Ms Ní Raghallaigh, what level of delegation does the board give to the director general in relation to the negotiation and contracts for someone like Mr. Kielty, who is coming in? Was any level of reporting required by the board, for example, concerning this new and upcoming contract?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: What part does the board play? What kind of conversation takes place or how often does this happen?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I am going to be specific. Let us move forward and we are talking about the new presenter of "The Late Late Show".

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: What level of input would the board have had in respect of being aware of or sending the executive off to negotiate that deal and then to come back and report? As was said, they are coming back and this proposal is to be approved on Friday by Ms Ní Raghallaigh's board. What input does the board have in these kinds of situations? Does it give the executives any requirements, set...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Okay. In other words, the executives can do what they like and go as far as they like with negotiations or a deal, and then go back with the proposal to the board and it must either agree or disagree.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Your first experience of that will be on Friday, when this new deal is to come back to the board.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Okay, that is fair enough. I turn to Mr. Shortt next, because he has not had an opportunity to be a part of this conversation. I am very glad to see him here today. How long have you been on the board of RTÉ?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: You have been there since 2018. How would you describe the board's relationship with the executive?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Is it an open one? Is there a good relationship? Are there many conversations about how things are operating within RTÉ?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: Okay. Can I ask-----

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: If there was good interaction and openness and transparency, how could something like this have gone on for years without the board being aware?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: What is your explanation for that?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I refer to the broader perspective on all this.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: We will do that in the wrap-up. How about that?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I have many more questions but I am also conscious that I have to let in my other colleagues as well. My clerk has reminded me to ask the witnesses if they need a break or if they are they happy to keep going. Is everyone happy to keep going?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: My colleagues who remain and who have questions are not members of this committee. I will not, therefore, be able to give them all ten minutes. I will extend the time to three or possibly five minutes each.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: That concludes that slot.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy. Could I interject for one second? Could the executive furnish this committee with the figures on "Toy Show The Musical"?