Smyth vows to ‘get to the truth’

Chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee, Niamh Smyth insisted members will sit over the summer to quiz RTÉ chiefs, past and present “if that’s what it takes” to get to the bottom of undeclared payments and governance at the national broadcaster.

Last week the Media Committee and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard evidence from senior RTE executives and members of the RTE board. They followed this up with an extensive request for documentation detailing any accounts and payments to presenters, particularly connected to a UK-based barter account.

Central is a payment of €345,000 made to former Late Late host Ryan Tubridy above his declared wage, however Deputy Smyth says she and her committee are now prepared to extend the scope of inquiry further if it means “getting to the truth”.

“We’re sticking at this until the truth is out,” she told the Celt this week.

Former RTÉ boss Dee Forbes, who has since left the national broadcaster, and Jim Jennings, Director of Content, have not yet appeared before hearings due to ill health. But Deputy Smyth has extended an “open invitation” to the individuals, assuring every accommodation will be made for them to appear.

“I don’t think this is going to get resolved until [Dee Forbes] gets her opportunity to speak with the committee. RTÉ might be hoping for this to settle down somewhat with time, but the committee has already committed to sitting over the summer to do what’s necessary.”

The Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD chaired a committee meeting on Tuesday, from which a report will be sent to Media Minister Catherine Martin. This will assist in the minister drawing up recommendations for a full review of expenditure at RTÉ, including full disclosures on payments and deals, and an examination of RTÉ’s top 100 earners.

“I think this story is three fold. There’s the executive’s view of it, there’s Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly’s, and then there’s Dee Forbes’,” suggests Deputy Smyth, who his week formally invited former RTÉ chair Moya Doherty, former Director General Noel Curran, and former CFO Breda O’Keefe to attend.

They’re expected to appear later today, though at the time going to print, “no confirmation” was forthcoming.

Deputy Smyth also hopes any further witnesses appearing will be prepared to be “more open”.

“There are still questions to be asked, and answers need to be given. I think by the lack of information available at times last week they’ve only made people more curious about what’s been going on.”