Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On Tuesday last, 4 July, Government approved a root and branch examination of RTÉ focused on two independent reviews of, first, the governance structures and organisational culture at RTÉ and, second, the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters. The second review will also examine issues in relation to the use of short-term employment contracts and the impact of current practices on gender, equality, and diversity.

The purpose of the reviews is to help restore public trust in RTÉ. The reviews will be overseen by two independent Expert Advisory Committees with support from professional services, the procurement process for which is in progress.

The Expert Advisory Committee members have been selected due to their wealth of experience and expertise in their respective fields. The person referenced by the Deputy in his question has that required experience and expertise. Her in-depth knowledge is a real asset amid efforts to rebuild the trust of staff in RTÉ. While she served on the then RTÉ Authority 15 years ago, she is a person of integrity with a strong track record whom I expect would be aware and bring to my attention any issue that arises over any potential conflict of interest.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On 6 July, I met with the Chairperson of the RTÉ Board, Ms. Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, and the now Acting Deputy Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Adrian Lynch. As set out in the statement I issued following that meeting, I made clear that I was not satisfied with the way in which information was been provided to the RTÉ Board, to the public and to the Oireachtas.

I emphasised to the incoming Director General that it is critical that he works, from his first day in office, to change the tone and culture between the Executive and the RTÉ Board and staff, and stressed that he must make it a priority to engage with the Irish public on his first in office on the steps he would immediately take to address the gulf between RTÉ and its most important stakeholder, the public.

At the meeting on 6 July, Mr. Bakhurst reassured me of his plans to reconstitute the RTÉ Executive and establish an interim leadership team. He set out his intention to engage with staff and to introduce new processes to restore confidence in the management in RTÉ.

Subsequently, Mr. Bakhurst set out a range of measures on 10 July as the first step to rebuilding trust in RTÉ by the public, by staff, by independent producers and by the Oireachtas.

In addition to standing down the Executive Board and establishing an interim Leadership Team, Mr Bakhurst announced that these measures would include a Register of Interests, more rigorous governance processes and actions to improve HR processes including a staff consultation group, an employee survey and a review of roles and grades, pay, and gender equality.