Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 938 and 959 to 962, inclusive, together.

The RTÉ Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2024 were presented by me to Government on 29 October, and subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and published by RTÉ.

It is important to note that the audit reports prepared on foot of RTÉ’s annual financial statements are not submitted to me as Minister, but to the Board of RTÉ, which is responsible for the governance of RTÉ in the first instance, and who are required to submit the signed, audited financial statements to me.

Prior to the submission of the 2024 Annual Report to Government, my Department requested NewERA to undertake a review of the financial statements. In the course of this review, additional information was provided by RTÉ regarding several legacy matters . This information arose following the examination of financial balances, systems and processes undertaken by RTÉ’s Chief Financial Officer and included:

• ongoing payments in respect of historic severance, retirement and survivor pension arrangements;
• a valuable artwork whose ownership is under consideration; and
• Eir’s longstanding presence on part of RTÉ’s Donnybrook campus.

That the information on these legacy issues came to light following internal RTÉ reviews of systems and procedures, provides evidence of the commitment to improved internal control processes within RTÉ. However, I have asked the Chair of the RTÉ Board to report to me on these issues and I will meet with him shortly to discuss these further. As well as providing further information and clarity on the matters raised, this is an opportunity to discuss any further strengthening of internal controls and processes which may be required, in addition to the ongoing reforms and transformation which the Board and management of RTÉ are continuing to implement.

In this regard, the Deputy will recall that two independent Expert Advisory Committee Reviews on Governance and Culture; and Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and other matters in RTÉ were established in July 2023, and their reports were published in May 2024. In addition, the then Minister had also appointed Mazars as the forensic accountant under Section 109 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to examine the accounts of RTÉ, and whose report was also published in May 2024.

The reports of both Expert Advisory Committees contained a total of 116 recommendations. In response, RTÉ published an implementation plan which it is continuing to progress, and which is subject to ongoing monitoring and review by my Department together with NewERA.

One of the key recommendations of the review of Governance and Culture was the re-assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ. The revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which I published last April, makes provision for this recommendation. This will enable the Comptroller and Auditor General to not only carry out an audit of the RTÉ's annual accounts under section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, but also where considered appropriate, carry out a value-for-money examination under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993.

The General Scheme also contains measures to strengthen the authority, role and functions of the boards of both our public service broadcasters, as well as reforming the assessment of the funding needs and the performance of our public service media providers, and to enhance the legislation that underpins their corporate governance. It provides Coimisiún na Meán with greater authority to identify targets, assess performance, and hold RTÉ and TG4 to account for their performance and to recommend appropriate multi-annual funding levels for both providers to Government.

The revised General Scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for pre-legislative scrutiny and the Committee published their report on 17 September 2025. The Committee’s Report contains 85 recommendations which are currently under consideration by my officials.

The enhancement of accountability and transparency in RTÉ, and in particular the assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor, is a priority for the Government and accordingly the revised General Scheme is on the priority list for drafting in the Government Legislative Programme.

Together these legislative amendments which I have published, as well as administrative measures committed to by RTÉ, are designed to enhance and strengthen the external oversight of, and corporate governance framework within, RTÉ.