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The reports on past failings at RTÉ did not pull any punches.
The review of governance and culture found that risk management at the broadcaster had been ‘immature’ and ‘under resourced’.
The controversial barter accounts were ‘hiding in plain sight’, the review concluded.
The Government also came in for criticism with the report finding that the oversight of RTÉ by the Minister for Media, the Department, and the Oireachtas proved “ineffective in preventing the issues that have arisen”.
The review of fees and HR matters called for major reforms when it comes to engaging and paying presenters.
It said that exit payments need to be fair and equitable.
The committee also called for an urgent review of the allowances paid to RTÉ staff because it said the current system lacks clarity and in some cases justification.
The final report of forensic accountants Mazars noted a “substantial deficit” in RTÉ’s record-keeping.
The Media Minister said it provided further evidence of poor governance and she called for a review of reported hospitality, travel and subsistence expenditure between 2017 and 2022.
Governance failures at RTÉ have been making headlines for almost a year since news of the payments controversy first broke.
In its statement this evening, RTÉ said it accepted the reports’ recommendations in principle and added that many moves are already under way to address the concerns raised.
In a demonstration of its commitment to reform and transparency, the broadcaster published details of the total amount of compensation paid to key management personnel in 2023, usually reported in its annual reports.
“None of the former members of the RTÉ Executive, written to by RTÉ, has consented to waiving their right to confidentiality regarding exit payments,” RTÉ said in its statement.
The figures show that the total amount of compensation paid to key management personnel in 2023 was €4 million, up from €3.3 million in 2022.
Termination benefits, including legal fees, came to €700,000 last year, up from €300,000 in 2022.
Many steps may already have been taken by RTÉ, but other reforms will take time.
Timescale unrealistic
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) described the review of HR practices and contracts as both comprehensive and complex.
The union warned that the timescale proposed for full acceptance of the recommendations is unrealistic.
“Terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective agreements and are covered by contracts,” said Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the NUJ.
“There will need to be detailed negotiations on the recommended introduction of new pay structures based on civil service schemes and on how these schemes can be adapted to suit a vastly different type of organisation,” Mr Dooley said.
‘Differences of opinion’
In her press conference, Minister Catherine Martin said it was recognised that reforms will take time and that patience is required.
She said the Cabinet will take a decision on future funding of public service broadcasting before the summer recess but added that there are still “differences of opinion” on the issue.
Ms Martin accepted that the necessary legislation will take months to draft.
The reports published today were long awaited and were filled with calls for urgent reform.
There were swift responses from the Government and RTÉ.
There were promises to do better and demonstrations of steps already taken.
In the coming weeks, RTÉ will outline its implementation plan and the Government will announce a decision on future funding.
It will take a lot longer however for the differences to be felt by licence fee payers and by the staff at RTÉ.
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