The terms of reference for an external review into RTE's financial practices will be announced by Media Minister Catherine Martin this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Oireachtas Media Committee under the chairwomanship of Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Deputy Niamh Smyth, will convene with RTE executives tomorrow.
These latest developments come after secret payments to Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy were unearthed last week. Speaking on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show, Deputy Smyth highlighted how the Committee is seeking full disclosure on the pubic service broadcaster's barter account over the last decade; the cost of the Late Late Toy Show's The Musical; the details of Ryan Tubridy's contract with RTE; and those of incoming Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty.
Deputy Smyth says the Committee wants to get to the core of expenditure and policy in RTE. "This isn't a witch hunt and we are not trying to name and shame - not that there would be shame involved - but people can be a little bit protective of that.
"I am aware that I've had to do a lot of research on this over the weekend and around data protection, and I have engaged with the Commission over this. And, there is a way of disclosing what RTE spends on salaries; and what we are trying to establish here is the broader picture - what level of overall turnover in RTE is spent on salaries?
