Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As I have previously set out, I became aware in late March, through communication from the Chair to my officials that an issue had arisen with regard to a transaction as part of the regular audit of the RTÉ 2022 annual accounts. At the time, the Chair had no insight into the detail or seriousness of the matter. In order to ascertain the facts, the Chair advised that the Audit and Risk Committee was commissioning an independent fact-finding report to examine the matter and report back to the Audit and Risk Committee. A time frame for completion was not notified by RTÉ at this point.

On 19 June, the Chair wrote to me to advise that the Board had received the Grant Thornton report and that the Board was continuing its consideration of the matter and would provide an update when it had decided on a course of action.

On the afternoon of Thursday, 22 June, shortly in advance of its issue, the Chair of the RTÉ Board provided me and my senior officials with a copy of the statement setting out details of the matter.

In addition to setting out details in relation to transactions relating to a presenter, the statement also set out that remuneration for the period 2017 to 2019 had been understated by €120,000. The statement confirmed that Grant Thornton were to commence a review into the reasons for the understatement in the period 2017 to 2019 and a review of the reported remuneration of the top 10 most highly paid on air presenters.

It is difficult to express the level of shock and disappointment we have all experienced since these matters came to light on 22 June. A trusted, robust and accountable public service broadcasting service is critical to the health of our democracy and society. Trust and confidence in RTÉ must be restored.

That is why my focus, from the outset, has been on ensuring accountability for issues that have and continue to be identified, as well as restoring the confidence of the public, the staff in RTÉ, the Oireachtas and Government in our largest public service broadcaster.

I am doing this through the commissioning of an independent review of governance and culture at RTÉ and an independent review of contractor fees, use of agents and other HR matter as well as the appointment of a forensic accountant, Mazars, to examine the use of barter accounts and any other off balance sheet accounts identified.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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87. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if and when she intends to meet representatives of the RTÉ staff to ascertain their views on the payments controversy and the changes in culture and governance needed and to address the employment issues affecting ordinary staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34684/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Under section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is independent in the pursuance of its objects. However, given the nature and seriousness of the damaging disclosures regarding RTÉ in recent weeks, I decided to launch an independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ.

Before finalising the terms of reference of the examination, on 28 June 2023 I met with representatives of the RTÉ Trade Union Group.

The examination of RTÉ comprises two elements, Terms of Reference for which were approved by Government on 4 July:

• an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and
• an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees and HR matters.

• Examine the oversight and mechanisms by which RTÉ engages presenters and contractors, including fees, the use of agents, the impact on costs borne by RTÉ and the governance of same;
• Examine issues arising from the use of short term employment contracts at all levels;
• Examine employment terms and conditions with particular emphasis on gender equality, diversity and inclusion; and whether any of the existing recruitment and HR practices, in particular those outlined above, have an impact on equality and opportunity;
• Make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the above matters.