“Undoubtedly the Darkest Period”: RTÉ Engulfed in Furore over Misuse of Funds
RTÉ, the Irish national broadcaster, is currently embroiled in a major scandal involving “slush fund” payments to presenters and extravagant spending. One senior figure within the organization has described it as “undoubtedly the darkest period in RTÉ’s history.” The scandal erupted in mid-June after months of rumors and gained momentum when RTÉ released a report commissioned from Grant Thornton, shedding light on staff payment practices.
Probe Widens: New Investigation into Payments to Top Presenters
Following the initial report, a subsequent investigation has been commissioned to examine payments to top presenters dating back to 2008. As RTÉ’s board is government-appointed and the broadcaster relies on funds from viewer license fees, the scandal has created significant turmoil within the organization.
Outlandish Spending and Revelations
Documents released by RTÉ have revealed numerous instances of extravagant spending while staff salaries were being reduced. Examples include an annual membership to London’s exclusive Soho House members’ club, tickets to a Bruce Springsteen concert, and the purchase of 200 pairs of flip-flops at €25 per unit for a staff summer party. The revelation of the Soho House membership has been particularly galling for former RTÉ staff based in London, who experienced salary cuts and were unaware of the luxurious private space available for their use.
Salary Controversy: Top Talent and Barter Accounts
The most attention-grabbing aspect of the scandal revolves around the salaries of RTÉ’s top talent, particularly Ryan Tubridy, the outgoing host of the flagship Late Late Show. It has emerged that Tubridy’s already substantial salary, exceeding €400,000, was further augmented by tens of thousands of euros via a “barter account” outside of his contractual wage. These detailed allegations were presented to the Irish parliament’s media committee, which described the payment system as a “slush fund.”
Leadership Divisions and Apologies
The scandal has led to divisions among RTÉ’s senior leadership, with board members expressing their lack of confidence in the executive leadership. Testifying before the media committee, RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh expressed regret for the “culture of careless stewardship and indifference to proper process” that enabled the misuse of funds. She apologized to the majority of RTÉ employees who had nothing to apologize for, expressing hope for a reformed and robust RTÉ as the organization approaches its centenary in 2026.
SOURCE: Ref Image from yahoo life uk
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