Results 1,121-1,140 of 2,964 for speaker:James O'Connor

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

James O'Connor: I will ask the witnesses the question again. Who among the organisation and the employees of RTÉ was aware?

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

James O'Connor: Does Mr. Coveney sit in on meetings with the director general when there are negotiations in relation to the pay of RTÉ's top stars?

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

James O'Connor: In terms of the commercial activity relating to RTÉ, Mr. Coveney would have had a significant lead on a number of projects undertaken by the organisation. Is that not correct?

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

James O'Connor: Questions were put to RTÉ yesterday by the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, Deputy Niamh Smyth, about the figures around the profitability of a commercial undertaking by RTÉ, namely "Toy Show The Musical". Can the witnesses give us the figures as to how profitable that undertaking was?

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

James O'Connor: I watched yesterday's proceedings. The witnesses did not share such information.

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

James O'Connor: What was the outcome of that?

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

James O'Connor: Are you in a position to inform us what the losses were?

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

James O'Connor: When will you be able to do so?

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

James O'Connor: My understanding is that it was an unmitigated disaster. Is that accurate?

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

James O'Connor: When it comes to accountability for money that is squandered within RTÉ, do the witnesses accept, on foot of the information that has come to light, that the structures of payment within the organisation are nowhere near fit for purpose? Look at the number of agency staff being employed, the key stars, the highest earners and the power Mr. Kelly had over RTÉ as an organisation....

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

James O'Connor: Did the board of RTÉ never have this conversation? How did we get to this position where, ultimately, a PR catastrophe is the cause of our now having this conversation? Did the executive board of RTÉ not recognise before now that one individual had pretty much godlike power when it came to the presenters who were being allowed airtime on our most significant broadcaster?

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

James O'Connor: What is RTÉ going to do going forward from here?

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

James O'Connor: I must ask about the Grant Thornton report currently being prepared by the RTÉ board for the audit and risk committee. This is an ongoing mess, and more information is coming to light with each day that goes by. Does RTÉ have the scope to allow for the extension of that report to include information that may come to light in the coming weeks?

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

James O'Connor: Yes. The second report.

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

James O'Connor: That is fine. The time is limited.

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

James O'Connor: In conclusion, I think that on foot of the-----

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

James O'Connor: Yes, very briefly, and it is a conclusion. On foot of what that Taoiseach has said this afternoon and what the Chairperson of the media committee, Deputy Niamh Smyth, said yesterday, it is important now, given all this information and the lack of information the witnesses are able to provide in answer to the questions, that Ryan Tubridy be invited to appear before this committee as well as...

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

James O'Connor: This is absolutely outrageous. The chief financial officer of RTÉ cannot tell us what he is paid. Are we supposed to buy that?

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

James O'Connor: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This meeting has taken a very dark turn from what we started out with today and what we saw yesterday. This is because a number of things have been said in the room. There have been denials and a change in vocabulary and tone. Something that really struck home to me was related to the barter fund. To have the former chair of RTÉ describe it as a "slush...

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

James O'Connor: I will have to stop Ms Doherty because my time is very limited. She has been very generous in that answer. My next question is for Mr. Shortt. I am sorry to put him on the spot but we know the significance of his presence here on behalf of his organisation and the team he represents on the board. Was there widespread knowledge in the broadcasting team and were the lesser public figures...