A cut in the licence fee is the most likely outcome from reform to RTÉ, a leading journalist has predicted. 

Yesterday, three reports into governance at the State broadcaster were published following discussion of their conclusions at Cabinet. 

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Independent Ireland Editor Fionnán Sheahan said the reports did not make easy reading for RTÉ management. 

“It depicts an organisation where people didn’t communicate with each other,” he said. 

“There were levels of distrust, dysfunction and disorganisation. 

“Correct procedures were not followed and the excuse that RTÉ has a commercial remit as well as a public service remit, it doesn’t really wash because a private company wouldn’t be run in this haphazard manner either.” 

One report went into detail about the use of the company’s barter account - but Mr Sheahan said it added nothing that was especially surprising. 

“It’s kind of a chapter and verse on the picture that we already had,” he said. 

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst at RTÉ Headquarters. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Where it is silent, is on the future of the broadcaster, with no recommendation made about what RTÉ should focus on. 

“They don’t really give us any picture of what RTÉ’s supposed to look like into the future,” Mr Sheahan said. 

“How much money does it actually need? What will that model of funding be?

“We’re getting inklings from the RTÉ management that there’ll be a bit more of a delineation between what is commercial and what is public service.” 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts , Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Minister Catherine Martin TD. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Divisions also remain with Cabinet about the future of reform to the licence fee with Tánaiste Micheál Martin said to be strongly against its abolition. 

“A new model, slightly smaller, probably collected by Revenue but the licence fee will remain in place and there’ll be a top up then from the State,” Mr Sheahan said. 

“Micheál Martin is flat out against what Catherine Martin is proposing, which is getting rid of the TV licence. 

“So, I don’t really see it happening at this point.” 

The licence fee costs €160 per household annually.

Main image: A TV remote control. Picture by: True Images / Alamy Stock Photo