Three reports into RTÉ to be considered by the Cabinet

Media Minister, Catherine Martin, will bring 3 reports to Cabinet this afternoon which involved a forensic examination of RTÉ.

Two Government commissioned reports are understood to contain 106 recommendations regarding required changes in practices at the national broadcaster.

These include assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ; updating the legislation governing the role of the RTÉ Board; and reforming the approach to engaging and paying presenters.

The recommendations also called for the overhauling of RTÉ’s allowance system, and ensure that severance schemes and staff exits are made fair and equitable.

It is believed that RTÉ will have 6 weeks to examine the reports and decide if it accepts the recommendations.

Minister Martin said she hopes that RTÉ will respond positively, and then the Cabinet can move to make a final decision on the future funding of the broadcaster.

It is understood that the investigations identified a siloed culture at RTÉ, with a highly complicated governance structure.

They also concluded that the Board did not have enough visibility on what was taking place, and at times accepted decisions by the Executive without question.

The review of governance and culture was led by Professor Niamh Brennan, while a review into contractor fees and human resources was led by Brendan McGinty.

Separately, the auditing and accounting firm, Mazars, has completed its forensic examination of the controversial RTÉ barter account and off-balance sheet accounts.

This will also be considered by Cabinet today, after having received an interim report last year.

All three reports will be presented to Cabinet today and then published.