Siún Ní Raghallaigh has sensationally quit as Chair of the RTE Board. Her resignation late last night came after an appearance by the Media Minister on Prime Time, during which Catherine Martin said Ms. Ní Raghallaigh had 'misinformed' her twice this week in relation to RTE exit packages.
The former Chair said she had not made an 'intentional misrepresentation', but it was clear the Minister no longer had confidence in her.
The RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst described her as 'an excellent Chair', who would be sorely missed.
Meanwhile, There's a call for "full transparency" from RTE on the pay packages of former executives. It's after its Director General Kevin Bakhurst said he's unsure if 8 former executives will consent to waive a right to confidentiality. TD Colm Burke who's a member of PAC thinks RTE should come back under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Northern Sound received the following statement from the Media Minister, Catherine Martin, this morning ion which she acknowledges the resignation if Ms Ní Raghallaigh: "I wish to thank Siún Ní Raghallaigh for her service as Chair of the Board of RTÉ at a time of unprecedented crisis at the national broadcaster. Her contribution to the process of reform and transformation underway in the organisation has been hugely significant; and her hard work and commitment to public service broadcasting must be acknowledged.”
“At this critical time for RTÉ, it is imperative that we continue the important process of restoring trust in the organisation. As Ms Ní Raghallaigh stated, there is an urgent need for the transformation process to continue and a sustainable funding model put in place – I am deeply committed to this.”
