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Catherine Martin to meet incoming RTÉ Director-General on Friday

Kevin Bakhurst is taking over at RTÉ following the resignation of Dee Forbes last month
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

21.17 4 Jul 2023


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Catherine Martin to meet incom...

Catherine Martin to meet incoming RTÉ Director-General on Friday

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

21.17 4 Jul 2023


Share this article


Media Minister Catherine Martin will meet the incoming Director-General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst on Friday.

It comes as Cabinet agreed the terms of reference for an external review of the organisation.

Two reviews will take place: one focusing on governance and culture, the other dealing with contractor fees and HR issues.

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While the final report is expected to take six to eight months, there will be a number of interim reports delivered in the meantime and the Minister hopes the work can be concluded sooner.

Mr Bakhurst is taking over at RTÉ following the resignation of Dee Forbes last month.

Ms Forbes was suspended earlier in June after revelations that the national broadcaster paid host Ryan Tubridy €345,000 more than it declared between 2017 and 2022.

While a review of RTÉ finances is understood to have found a number of further barter accounts.

Minister Martin earlier told The Hard Shoulder she wants to hear from Mr Bakhurst what action the broadcaster intends to take.

"I am meeting the incoming DG, Kevin Bakhurst, this Friday," she said.

"It was signaled last week during Committee hearings that he is indicating reconstituting the Executive, and I'd like to know what exactly does that mean?

"What are his actions?

"I think what he does to rebuild trust here and show accountability and transparency can compliment the work that we are doing".

'I want to see what the plan is'

Minister Martin said she will be asking Mr Bakhurst who knew about the secret payments to Mr Tubridy.

"I'm not going to pre-empt what the incoming DG's going to say, I want to see what the plan is in relation to the lack of governance that we have seen," she said.

"He will know, too, that another decision I've made today as well is I'm using the powers under the [Broadcasting] Act to send in a forensic accountant to look at that barter account, and to see if there's any other off-balance sheet accounts as well".

Minister Martin said more answers are needed.

"My relationship is with the Chair and the Board; there's no relationship under the legislation with my and the Executive Board," she said.

"We still have to see more work from the Committees and I really feel we don't have all the answers just yet.

"I believe the Board have acted swiftly... to deal with maters when they were brought to their attention.

"I think there's still a job of work underway; we're still waiting for the second Grant Thornton report," she added.

Listen back here:

Main image: Split-screen image shows file photos of Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin, and incoming Director-General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst

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Catherine Martin Dee Forbes Director General External Review Governance Grant Thornton Kevin Bakhurst Media Minister Catherine Martin Rte Director General Ryan Tubridy The Hard Shoulder

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