RTÉ must publish all information into Tubridy pay deals – Dillon

Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has written to the Oireachtas Media Committee to request RTÉ publish all relevant information into Ryan Tubridy’s previously incorrect stated pay for three years.

Deputy Dillon made the request (see letter below) after details of the internal review carried out by the broadcaster emerged in a media report last weekend, despite this information not being made available to the Committee four months ago.

Deputy Dillon, Fine Gael’s newly elected Parliamentary Party Chairman, said: “It has come to my attention that an internal review was carried out by RTÉ to assess the payments made to Mr Tubridy during the period of 2017-2019.

“This review identified a discrepancy of €120,000 between the payments and what was publicly disclosed, a significant development that directly contributed to the payments scandal. Notably, it has been revealed that the responsibility for this discrepancy lay with RTÉ itself and not with Mr Tubridy.

“More than four months ago at a Committee hearing, I asked why this internal review, which identified the €120,000 in undeclared payments, had not been provided to us as it contains crucial information regarding the matter.

“RTÉ described the document as a preliminary internal review that contributed to the external investigation carried out later by Grant Thornton.

“We now need to see this review and any other relevant information as it is vital in enabling the Committee to comprehensively examine the matter, particularly as the Grant Thornton investigation ultimately cleared Mr Tubridy of any wrongdoing.

“We cannot continue to have this drip-feed of information which is extremely damaging for RTÉ as it seeks to restore trust in the institution.

“I have now requested that the Oireachtas Media Committee make a formal request RTÉ to provide all relevant documentation, including the internal review and any related records, so that we can fulfil our role of ensuring transparency and accountability in public organisations,” Deputy Dillon said.

ENDS

Letter from Deputy Dillon to Chair of the Media Committee:

 Dear Chairperson of the Media Committee,

I am writing to formally request the Oireachtas Media Committee’s permission to initiate a request to RTÉ for the provision of all relevant documentation, including but not limited to emails, notes, correspondence, minutes, communications, and any related records or reports pertaining to the preliminary internal review conducted by RTÉ surrounding the undeclared payments of €120,000 to Mr. Ryan Tubridy between 2017 and 2019. Additionally, we seek access to any internal report or documentation concerning the unpaid bonus that was “erroneously” subtracted from Mr. Tubridy’s published earnings.

This request is prompted by recent revelations regarding RTÉ’s handling of the matter. It has come to my attention that an internal review was carried out by RTÉ to assess the payments made to Mr. Tubridy during the specified period. This review identified a discrepancy of €120,000 between the payments and what was publicly disclosed, a significant development that directly contributed to the payments scandal. Notably, it has been revealed that the responsibility for this discrepancy lay with RTÉ itself and not with Mr. Tubridy.

My concern, as the Oireachtas Media Committee, is that this vital internal review has not been made available to our committee. During a previous session on June 28, the question I raised as to why this internal review, which identified the €120,000 in undeclared payments, had not been provided to us. This document holds crucial information regarding the matter under investigation and is essential for our committee’s oversight and understanding of the situation.

Failure to disclose such information has far-reaching implications for RTÉ, especially as we are focused on rebuilding trust in public institutions. We understand that RTÉ has claimed that the document in question was not formally requested by the Media or Public Accounts Committee at the time this issue was raised. However, it has now been four months since our initial request for this documentation, and we are yet to receive it.

RTÉ has described this document as a preliminary internal review that contributed to the external investigation conducted by Grant Thornton. I believe that access to this review is of paramount importance to our committee’s efforts to comprehensively examine the matter, particularly as the Grant Thornton investigation ultimately cleared Mr. Tubridy of any wrongdoing.

Given the circumstances and the significance of this information, I kindly request that the Oireachtas Media Committee supports this initiative to formally request RTÉ to provide all relevant documentation, including the internal review and any related records, so that we can fulfill our role of ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust.

I await your guidance and approval to proceed with this request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.