The new Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst has refused to rule out selling off parts of the broadcaster.
The broadcaster is still mired in controversey following revealtions of its hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy and today, Mr Bakhurst said the financial stability of the station was of paramount importance.
“We have to look at everything we do and what we can afford to carry on doing,” he said.
“It may be that RTÉ needs to be smaller in the years to come.”
Executive Board
In an email to RTÉ staff sent this morning, Mr Bakhurst said the entire Executive Board will be stood down and replaced by an interim leadership team.
He said all significant financial decisions will be agreed by the whole interim team and there will a record of discussions for all decisions made.
On his first day as Director General, Mr Bakhurst has promised staff cultural change and stricter regulation of finances and interests.
Salaries and interests
He also committed to publishing the salaries of the Executive Board along with the ten highest paid presenters in the RTE annual report every year.
According to the email, Mr Bakhurst will also establish a register of staff interests and contracts and is planning a review of roles within RTÉ, pay, and gender equality.
Officials from RTÉ before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee. Image: Oireachtas TVMr Bakhurst said he was “honoured” to begin his role as Director General – but is “appalled by recent events and the impact it has had”.
“I look forward to working with Siún Ní Raghallaigh and the RTÉ Board as we collectively set out to rebuild trust in RTÉ, inside and outside,” he said.
Confidence
Media Minister Catherine Martin welcomed the decisions by Mr Bakhurst.
“Confidence in RTÉ starts with its own staff and Board,” she said. “And from there it can start to build trust with the Oireachtas, its audience, the independent production sector and the public.
“A further essential change by the Director General is the announcement regarding a Register of Interests. This is crucial in terms of the transparency needed at RTÉ and to ensure accountability at the station.”
RTÉ recently revealed they paid former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy €345,000 more than previously declared.
At Oireachtas Committee hearings following this revelation, it was heard that 'barter accounts' were used to pay thousands of euros on expenses such as golf trips, cinema screenings and flip flops.
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Mr Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly will appear before a Public Accounts Committee and Oireachtas Media Committee hearing to discuss his contracts and payments from RTÉ.
