No sign of it ending
https://twitter.com/TonightVMTV/status/1673446390595457024
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/27/rte-pay-crisis-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-dee-forbes-oireachtas-committees/
Some key details of the report
"There has been much speculation regarding the awareness or involvement of members of senior RTÉ management and others in the these arrangements. The following sets out the position:
No member of the RTÉ Executive Board, other than the Director General, had all the necessary information in order to understand that the publicly declared figures for Ryan Tubridy could have been wrong.
The contractual arrangements (2020-2025) with Ryan Tubridy were negotiated by the Director General and the then Chief Financial Officer supported by the RTÉ solicitor and approved by the Director General.
The Director General verbally agreed (via video meeting) to underwrite the terms of the commercial arrangement. Present at this meeting was the Director General, two representatives of the Agent and the RTÉ solicitor. This final aspect had been sought by the Agent throughout the negotiations and there had been significant push back by RTÉ.
Other than the Director General and the Commercial Director no member of the Executive Board had knowledge of the two invoices (9th May 2022 and 6th July 2022 ), the payment of those invoices through the barter account, or any of the circumstances surrounding those invoices.
The Commercial Director has stated that:
Her knowledge of those matters was limited to the instructions received by her from the Director General in connection with the payments in question.
Those instructions were received at a point in time when the arrangements on foot of which the 9th May 2022 and 6th July 2022 invoices ultimately came to be raised had already been negotiated and agreed and to which the Commercial Director was not party
Due to his editorial responsibilities the Director of Content was kept informed of the progress of the negotiations and ultimately signed the 'Five Year Contract' for TV and Radio Services and the letter providing for the early termination of Ryan Tubridy's previous Radio and TV Contract. He was aware of elements of the commercial agreement but not RTÉ's underwriting of it.
Learn more
The current Chief Financial Officer joined RTÉ in January 2020. At that stage key terms had been agreed and discussions were at an advanced stage before contract finally being approved by the Director General. He had no involvement in the negotiation of the tri-partite agreement or in putting arrangements in place to facilitate this agreement.
The Director of Audiences, Channels and Marketing provided very specific input in relation to television hours for the Late Late Show. He was aware of elements of the commercial agreement but not RTÉ's underwriting of it. He did not at any stage receive the 'Tri-partite Agreement', the 'Five Year Contract' or any side letters.
The Director of Legal and the Director of Human Resources were not involved in the negotiation of any aspects of these arrangements but were simply aware that negotiations were taking place. The Director of Human Resources had no sight of any correspondence relating to the matter.
All these events predate the recent appointment of the current Director of News and Current Affairs.
The Director of Operations and Technology and the Director of Strategy had no awareness of or responsibility for any aspects of these arrangements.
RTÉ's Solicitor's office provides legal advice in relation to contracts for RTÉ and take instructions from the business. It does not have authority to set, agree or approve the terms of any contract.
The Grant Thornton review makes no finding of wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy in relation to any payments made by RTÉ.
Ryan Tubridy was not aware of the credit note provided by RTÉ to the commercial partner.
RTÉ issued the credit note to the commercial partner in July 2020 which should have been publicly disclosed as part of Ryan Tubridy's earnings for that year. RTÉ understands that Ryan Tubridy did not receive this payment from the commercial partner until 2021.
The additional payment to Ryan Tubridy for 2021 was paid in 2022 but in line with RTÉ's approach to the publication of the top ten earners it was attributed to 2021 in the recent restatement of Ryan Tubridy's earnings.
The Grant Thornton review makes no finding of wrongdoing on the part of the commercial partner.
A couple of things about this. I do not see Tubridy as a rare star, he is not Gay Byrne or even Pat Kenny, I do not quite see why people are throwing away their reputations on his behalf. If there was second contract which wasn't operational because of Covid then the obvious thing was to just go to him and say that because of Covid there were no appearances and so no payment. What was he going to do, sue you for not getting appearance money during Covid when he was still making a pile? But also I am surprised that Tubridy himself got into this mess, he had a good income coming in and ways to earn more, that being the case you would think that more money at the expense of his reputation was not worth it. OK he can go to England or whatever, but he has years ahead of him in Ireland and it would be sensible to keep the public onside so that he could be events etc in that time.
It is a bit like Nicola Sturgeon, I don't see why such a person with years ahead of them would shred their reputation for the sum involved.
Quoteshred their reputation for the sum involved.
Working on the presumption that either they won't get caught if they believe what they are doing is wrong, or belief that there is a contractual obligation therefore they are covered. Either way it's only an issue when the public hear about it. He should have offered a mea culpa on Day 1, "my accountant handles these matter so I wasn't fully aware and had I known..." etc. etc. and offered up the balance to either be returned or paid tax free to a charity.
The crisis management by RTE and Tubs has been poor. ¨¨
This was in the FT a while ago :
"It is not complicated. Any half-competent flak knows the drill. Own the bad news. Make sure colleagues and partners are prepared; go public quickly, clearly, and completely; be accountable; be available. Candour is a sign of respect."
The longer it drags on, the worse it gets.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on June 27, 2023, 07:30:27 PM
Quoteshred their reputation for the sum involved.
Working on the presumption that either they won't get caught if they believe what they are doing is wrong, or belief that there is a contractual obligation therefore they are covered. Either way it's only an issue when the public hear about it. He should have offered a mea culpa on Day 1, "my accountant handles these matter so I wasn't fully aware and had I known..." etc. etc. and offered up the balance to either be returned or paid tax free to a charity.
If I was Forbes then I would have emailed legal to make sure that they were obliged to pay out given Covid (force majeure type thing)
and/or emailed Tubridy to see if he insisted on payment in the circumstances. If she had done that then she would have good case today.
some conspiracy people out there saying tubridy was paid extra to promote vaccines did tubridys payments not start before 2020 i think.
In 2007 RTE earned 440m- 190m TV licence and 250m ads.
"Recession, the rise of digital advertising giants Google and Facebook and stronger competition from Virgin Media Television and the UK channels selling advertising in this market have all combined to reduce RTÉ's commercial revenues by 39 per cent since a 2007 peak. In 2018, they stood at €150 million."
So income is €100m lower than 2007.
That is the core problem
Nepotism in rte is huge
How did a talentless beanpole like tubridy end up earning that much money
He's also very well connected in political circles and PR circles which helps
Toy Show The Musical - loses money but not sure how much
Leaks from new top boss interviews - massive breach of confidentiality
GAAGO and RTÉ is surely bad governance
Then this craic - like these people are not good at their jobs. This Tubridy deal is just bad business.
Main news on RTÉ news the last numbers of days has been about RTE. Did Tubridy leave the Late Late show knowing this news was coming?
Quote from: Captain Obvious on June 28, 2023, 12:36:39 AM
Main news on RTÉ news the last numbers of days has been about RTE. Did Tubridy leave the Late Late show knowing this news was coming?
16 March tendered his resignation
17 March auditors contact board about concealed payments to Tubridy
The spiv's spiv
The old mental health card comes in handy. It's a pandemic of it own now.
Tubridy is probably finished at RTE.
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/28/live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
Seamus Dooley had more to say.
"What is really important is today does not become some sort of punishment beating for RTE or indeed that it gives succor to those who are in the long grass who have been attacking public service broadcasting.
"It is within the gift of the executive board to explain in detail and probably tedious detail who did what and why. Why did I sign the contract? Why did I not advise Dee Forbes that this bit doesn't make sense. And that's necessary. It's necessary to explain why public money was spent by RTE to provide receptions and opportunities for Renault.
The reality is that RTE doesn't have a crew in the Midlands at the moment, yet RTE provided technical staff and facilities for receptions. So literally it means giving the committee that information and if they don't, it will just become a slagging match.
"RTE is a very good public service organisation. It serves the public very well. It's an organization I know probably too well at this stage. The problem is that there are a number of politicians who don't like public service broadcasting. There are a lot of media commercial companies for whom RTE is a rival, and there is nothing more eloquent than vested interests disguised as points of principle. And what I would be fearful of is that because of the actions and inactions of the executive board, it just becomes an opportunity to attack RTE. And the most unforgivable thing from the staff point of view is that the executive board has allowed this to happen."
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/28/live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
Siún Ní Raghallaigh full statement.
At the outset, I wish to reiterate our profound regret regarding what has emerged in recent days.
RTE fell far short of the standards expected of us as an organisation.
I apologise for this egregious breach of trust with the public.
1am also mindful that this Committee, and others, were in the past presented with information that was simply untrue. That was a breach of trust with you, the elected members of the Oireachtas, for which we sincerely apologise.
ADVERTISEMENT
The public, RTE staff, and public representatives are angry and hurt.
We know that our bond of trust with the public is tarnished.
We know that trust is precious, and that once lost, trust is difficult to regain.
Step by step we will work to rebuild that trust.
We will not flinch in this regard.
We know that this will be challenging, but we are committed to doing so, in order that confidence in Ireland's national public service broadcaster can be restored.
We are committed to providing you with as much detail as possible and we wish to be as open and frank as we can
As you know, and as set out in our statement of last week, in late March of this year during a routine audit of RTE's 2022 accounts, an issue was identified in relation to the transparency of certain payments.
The auditors sought further information and informed the Audit and Risk Committee of the RTE
Board of their concerns. The Audit and Risk Committee promptly commissioned Grant Thornton to carry out the independent fact-finding review on the matter in question.
The facts were established by Grant Thornton and presented to the Audit and Risk Committee of the
RTE Board on Friday 16 June 2023 and then to the RT Board the following Monday June 19 2023.
On receiving the Grant Thornton findings, the Board asked RTE to conduct an internal review of earnings paid to Mr Tubridy in previous years, and through that review it was identified that Mr.
Tubridy's remuneration had been understated by RTE by a figure of €120,000 over the contract period of 2017-2019. To be clear, this was understated in the figures that were published by RTE relating to the top 10 highest earning on air presenters, which in turn were communicated to Government and the Oireachtas and to the public. Mr Tubridy's earnings were correctly accounted for in the RTE accounts, and the earnings he received were what he was contractually entitled to. In addition, for the record, I want to confirm that he did not receive an exit fee.
The circumstances that led to this understatement by RTE are currently under examination by a second Grant Thornton review and the findings of that review are expected within four weeks. Why this figure was understated - and by whom - that is the question we as a Board are also very anxious to know the answer to.
Within four days of the first Grant Thornton review being received by the RTE Board on Monday June 19th, the Board released a statement outlining our understanding of Mr Tubridy's earnings, including for the period 2017 -2019.
This issue has remained under active review and yesterday RTE issued a further statement, detailing its understanding of what happened, how it happened, and who was responsible for different aspects of the arrangement.
The full Grant Thornton fact finding review was also published yesterday,
Separately, we will of course be working closely with all aspects of the Government appointed independent, external review process when it commences.
I also wish at this point to acknowledge the upset and distress being caused to the independent production sector in Ireland, a community I know well. Their wellbeing is very much contingent on the wellbeing of RTÉ also.
As I have said previously, RTE is an organisation of more than 1,800 people. I apologise to each and every one of them for the distress they are experiencing as they deal with the shadow that has fallen over this organisation.
I want to assure this Committee and the public that the Board is committed to ensuring that we get full clarity on this, that there is accountability for it, and that it never happens again.
In conclusion I wish to say that today we will endeavour, to the very best of our ability, to answer, all questions you may put to us.
As public representatives you deserve nothing less.
Quote from: trailer on June 28, 2023, 12:32:18 PM
The old mental health card comes in handy. It's a pandemic of it own now.
Who has played that card?
Quote from: AustinPowers on June 28, 2023, 02:18:26 PM
Quote from: trailer on June 28, 2023, 12:32:18 PM
The old mental health card comes in handy. It's a pandemic of it own now.
Who has played that card?
Dee Forbes
I get the impression she went into RTE in the hope of straightening the place out because she knew it was a bureaucratic clusterf***, but was up against resistance from the anti-change crowd within. Now it looks like she's been scapegoated by the board who are trying to cover their asses. I've been watching the Oireachtas hearings on this and it's just a load of cross-finger-pointing. Everybody within RTE seems to be equally outraged about it. It's grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre, and unprecedented.
Quote from: AustinPowers on June 28, 2023, 02:18:26 PM
Quote from: trailer on June 28, 2023, 12:32:18 PM
The old mental health card comes in handy. It's a pandemic of it own now.
Who has played that card?
The Ex Director General, Dee Forbes. Anyone in any sort of bother now wheels out this line. No word of it before last week all the same. No word before she was asked to account for her actions. Was she seeing anyone before this all blew up? Honest question. Takes away from people who are genuinely struggling.
Quote from: seafoid on June 28, 2023, 02:14:54 PM
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/28/live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
Siún Ní Raghallaigh full statement.
At the outset, I wish to reiterate our profound regret regarding what has emerged in recent days.
RTE fell far short of the standards expected of us as an organisation.
I apologise for this egregious breach of trust with the public.
1am also mindful that this Committee, and others, were in the past presented with information that was simply untrue. That was a breach of trust with you, the elected members of the Oireachtas, for which we sincerely apologise.
ADVERTISEMENT
The public, RTE staff, and public representatives are angry and hurt.
We know that our bond of trust with the public is tarnished.
We know that trust is precious, and that once lost, trust is difficult to regain.
Step by step we will work to rebuild that trust.
We will not flinch in this regard.
Lessons have been learned.
Thats all we ever really wanted to hear
Dee Forbes was holding everything up. It will be interesting to see how the Tubs issue is resolved.
The chair of RTÉ
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/28/live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/This is why we are here. It is a culture that is in there that accepts that, well, that is approved by the [director general] so I am not going to talk about it.
"And I think all of the people here would agree now that that's wrong... For me that was a shocking part of it as well, that there wasn't the conversation that we all assumed would happen. But each of them in their each own individual area, as you said, it was siloed."
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/28/not-tenable-for-tubridy-to-return-to-air-amid-ongoing-controversy-rte-acting-dg-says/(Opens in new window)
Oireachtas
'Not tenable' for Tubridy to return to air amid ongoing controversy, RTÉ acting DG saysPatrick Kielty deal will be discussed by remuneration committee on Friday, politicians told
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RTE board members and executives (left to right) Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins, staff representative to the board Robert Shortt, RTE Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch, RTE Chairperson of the board Siun Ni Raghallaigh, Strategy Director Rory Coveney, board member Anne O'Leary and RTE Commercial Director Geraldine O'Leary leave the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media at Leinster House, Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Colm Keena
Wed Jun 28 2023 - 19:17
It is "not tenable" for the presenter Ryan Tubridy to appear on air in the context of the ongoing controversy over payments to him, an Oireachtas committee has been told by the interim director general of the national broadcaster.
Adrian Lynch, who told the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht that he was editor-in-chief of the national broadcaster, was questioned by a number of politicians about when the presenter would be returning to the airwaves, but did not give a definitive answer.
He said that it "is impossible for Ryan Tubridy to be back on air" due to what he described as "editorial reasons".
Pressed on whether the former Late Late Show host would return eventually to the airwaves, he said: "Again, can I just say for editorial reasons he is not on air at the moment."
READ MORE
'Not tenable' for Tubridy to return to air amid ongoing controversy, RTÉ acting DG says
RTÉ payments controversy: Executives tell Oireachtas committee of 'cultural issue' and say it will publish Kielty deal if he agrees
RTÉ struggling with fallout from Tubridy's secret pay deal
Ryan Tubridy rejects RTÉ's claim he is out of contract as pay controversy deepens
He said the presenter's TV and radio contract ended on May 31st and negotiations on a radio-only contract were currently suspended. Mr Tubridy was continuing to be paid on a radio-only basis, he said, but was not currently appearing on air.
Responding to questioning from the committee chair, Niamh Smyth, the chair of the RTÉ board, Siun Ní Raghallaigh, said the deal negotiated with Patrick Kielty, who is to replace Mr Tubridy as presenter of the Late Late Show, will be discussed by the board's remuneration committee on Friday.
Learn more
RTÉ's chief financial officer, Richard Collins, said the contract had been signed by both sides.
Ms Smyth asked that the details of Mr Kielty's contract be disclosed to the committee on Friday evening or Monday morning, and that if anyone had an objection to that being done, that the committee should be so informed.
RTÉ News reported on Wednesday night that Mr Kielty wished to make his fee public once the appropriate processes have concluded.
Ms Ní Raghallaigh told the committee the RTÉ board sought the resignation of the Director General, Dee Forbes, on Monday of last week, and initiated a disciplinary process when she did not agree to go.
Quote from: trailer on June 28, 2023, 05:00:30 PM
Quote from: AustinPowers on June 28, 2023, 02:18:26 PM
Quote from: trailer on June 28, 2023, 12:32:18 PM
The old mental health card comes in handy. It's a pandemic of it own now.
Who has played that card?
The Ex Director General, Dee Forbes. Anyone in any sort of bother now wheels out this line. No word of it before last week all the same. No word before she was asked to account for her actions. Was she seeing anyone before this all blew up? Honest question. Takes away from people who are genuinely struggling.
There's more to this story than meets the eye. In her resignation statement she had stern words for the RTE board, saying they didn't treat her with a whole lot of respect. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd been giving her a hard time and it was causing her stress.
Dee Forbes' statement in full
I regret very much the upset and adverse publicity suffered by RTÉ, its staff and the unease created among the public in recent days. As Director General, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation and I take that responsibility seriously. I am tendering my resignation to RTÉ with immediate effect.
I have engaged with and consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Ryan Tubridy. Much of the information in the Grant Thornton Report furnished to the Board of RTÉ has emerged in recent days. There are a number of points which I think are important to emphasise.
Read Next
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In early 2020 RTÉ began discussions around the renewal of Ryan Tubridy's contract. That contract contained contractual payments that had been negotiated and put in place prior to my arrival at RTÉ. Discussions on the new contract were taking place in the context of major organisational challenges and a commitment from the RTÉ Executive Board to the Board and the Government to reduce the fees paid to RTÉ's top talent by a further 15% overall as part of a wider cost cutting strategy.
As Director General, I led the discussions with the agent for Ryan Tubridy together with other RTÉ senior executives. We were keen to make a cost saving for RTÉ in respect of a contractual payment which was due to be paid. At the same time, we were attempting to retain Ryan Tubridy's services as a valued presenter and negotiate a new contract, with the agreed 15% cost cutting target in mind. In an effort to find a solution to the budgetary challenges, we explored if a long serving commercial partner might take on a commercial relationship directly with Ryan Tubridy.
Following detailed discussions including numerous internal communications over many months with RTÉ colleagues, including finance and legal colleagues, an agreement was reached which delivered cost savings for RTÉ. This agreement meant that the commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Ryan Tubridy for €75k in exchange for the provision of three events annually.
As a result of the negotiated cost saving agreement, RTÉ would no longer be liable for a contractual payment that was due in 2020. This new commercial agreement required that RTÉ guarantee and underwrite the €75K payments.
The commercial partner agreed to this new business relationship with Ryan Tubridy, but they required the change to be cost neutral, as they were in the final year of a three-year sponsorship contract and this was done by issuing a credit note for €75k against their airtime.
I did not at any stage act contrary to any advice. Unfortunately, the pandemic restrictions meant that the commitment to the commercial client could not be met in 2020 and 2021 and was only delivered in 2022. The commercial partner informed us that the commercial arrangement was not going to work for them in the long term. At this point, only one €75k payment had been made.
Payment was sought for the 2021 and 2022 contractual commitments that now fell to RTÉ under the guarantee even though RTÉ had never expected to become liable for them and had not budgeted for them. Because of the commercial nature of the arrangement, it was decided to pay the invoices from the commercial barter account which was in credit. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation.
At all times, I and the representatives of RTÉ acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as Director General.
This statement is directed to the events of 2020-2022. I understand from media reports and RTÉ's statement that the Board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the Board has not raised those questions with me.
Finally, I want to reiterate that I have engaged fully with the Board during this process. However, the Board has not treated me with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing.
I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone.
I care very deeply about RTÉ, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTÉ moves forward under the new Director General.
The issue of why it was covered up when pay restraint was in place is key. Nobody has answered this. Forbes is the only one who can explain.
Forbes was suspended after RTÉ asked her to resign and she refused.
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2023/06/29/nine-things-we-learned-from-the-first-day-of-rte-explanations-at-oireachtas-committee/?
There was more information about Ryan Tubridy's future - if not clarity - with confirmation that his Radio and TV combined contract came to an end at the end of May (although sources close to him dispute this), and negotiations for a radio-only contract have been paused. He remains off air for the foreseeable, but it seems he will be on our screens again with appearance at the committee by Kelly and Tubridy in the offing after chair Niamh Smyth signalled her support for such a move.
Tubridy is the big shiny thing everyone wants to chat about but the Toy Show Musical was also brought up yesterday. A terrible money grabbing idea that bombed.
GAAGO is not sound governance either and they won't get money to improve it either.
The lad who modernised An Post wasn't wanted for the top job clearly...
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/29/watch-live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-pac-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/PAC chairman Brian Stanley has just been on Morning Ireland. "We hope to get more than yesterday. The explanations were bizarre. We need better than the non-explanation yesterday," he said.
There is a lot of information to be uncovered. He says the notion that RTÉ operates in silos is not credible and it is not credible either to lay everything at the feet of Dee Forbes.
Learn more
It is "off the wall" that she was only one who knew about these transitions.
Mr Stanley says the members need to hear more about the involvement of Ryan Tubridy's Noel Kelly in all of this. He may represent as many as 20 people within the organisation.
"Oen of the things that came from Grant Thornton is the power of Noel Kelly. Why in the name of God did anybody feel that he (Ryan Tubridy) would walk as he was getting €495,000 without a top-up of €75,000?
"Who on the island of Ireland is going to pay him more than this? I think it is a ridiculous scenario the way it was presented."
https://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime/status/1674086589570375680
Quote from: seafoid on June 29, 2023, 09:25:01 AM
https://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime/status/1674086589570375680
RTE were paying for Tubridy either through lost service or rediverted revenue or provision services such as these Parties and ultimately the tax payer. It has all the look of a machinism to avoid scrutiny on the deal.. otherwise good business would not be conducted in that manner. If this was a private company the term backhander might be used even if not strictly speaking correct.
Quote from: rrhf on June 29, 2023, 09:38:34 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 29, 2023, 09:25:01 AM
https://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime/status/1674086589570375680
RTE were paying for Tubridy either through lost service or rediverted revenue or provision services such as these Parties and ultimately the tax payer paid. It has all the look of a machinism to avoid scrutiny on the deal.. otherwise good business would not be conducted in that manner. If this was a private company the term backhander might be used even if not strictly speaking correct. However unless anyone can come up with another reason for this complicated machinism other than hoodwinking the Irish taxpayer then please do so.
Quote from: rrhf on June 29, 2023, 09:38:34 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 29, 2023, 09:25:01 AM
https://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime/status/1674086589570375680
RTE were paying for Tubridy either through lost service or rediverted revenue or provision services such as these Parties and ultimately the tax payer. It has all the look of a machinism to avoid scrutiny on the deal.. otherwise good business would not be conducted in that manner. If this was a private company the term backhander might be used even if not strictly speaking correct.
It looks awful. Everyone ese was getting pay cuts.
So we are meant to believe Ryan Tubridy quit on one day and the next day an audit starts looking at this? Coincidence or was he aware that this issue was coming down the track. Why the hell are RTE presenters paid so much money? Its mental. Do they think the place will fall apart if they left?
Pat Kenny was the main man in RTE, very good presenter etc but was on crazy money and left to Newstalk. His radio show had the highest listenership but Sean O Rourke took it over and listenership went up. Its a joke. Ironically their main job is to tell the truth and find out the truth is to inform the public. TO be fair the majority of workers at RTE are just like the rest of us and earn far less than the money Tubridy was getting from Renault for a few appearances, let alone his wages.
We need to get the truth on this asap.
16 March tendered his resignation
17 March auditors contact board about concealed payments
The boul Ryan was forewarned
Any good twitter feeds tracking the whole mess folks?
Joe Brolly seems well versed in it ;D
Paddy Kielty on €250k per season. Not his fault that he's been dragged into this shit show.
Quote from: trailer on June 29, 2023, 01:04:14 PM
Paddy Kielty on €250k per season. Not his fault that he's been dragged into this shit show.
Autumn, Winter & Spring - 750k for the year -thats better than Tubsidy ;D ;D ;)
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/29/watch-live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-pac-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
Here's our political correspondent Jennifer Bray.
"An act designed to deceive" – these were the words of Siún Ní Raghallaigh, chairwoman of the RTÉ board. By any measure, it's a stunning statement but one which gets to the heart of the matter around the underrepresentation of payments to Ryan Tubridy.
It is significant, too, that the Public Accounts Committee has been given extra powers including around compellability, meaning that when former director general Dee Forbes is well enough to do so, she will likely be ordered to appear before the PAC.
Furthermore, acting director general Adrian Lynch told the committee that RTÉ's executive board failed to ensure good governance.
It's a long way off the original statement made by RTÉ when this scandal broke, where the blame almost seemed to be directly squarely on Ms Forbes and away from the board, as it was contended that it did not have enough information to discern the full facts. Now, Mr Lynch says the entire executive board will be reconstituted.
13:47
More from Ms Ní Raghallaigh:
"Finally, can I say something about the use of the word 'talent'. Words matter and the term, as it is currently used, reinforces a 'them and us' culture in RTÉ.
"It implies some have greater worth than others. The first step in cultural change is to consign this term to the dustbin."
13:42
RTÉ board chairwoman Siún Ní Raghallaigh has not held back at the Public Accounts Committee.
"As a trained accountant and a former financial controller, I am appalled as to how payments were recorded and presented in the RTÉ accounts.
"What was the motivation here? It appears to me that this was an act designed to deceive."
13:34
Here's more from our political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones:
Acting Director General Adrian Lynch will signal a shake-up of top executive ranks at RTÉ following the scandal over Ryan Tubridy's pay. In an opening statement to PAC this afternoon, he will restate RTÉ's "deep regret" and concede that the executive board "failed in its responsibility to act as a collective and failed to ensure good governance in this matter".
He will add there was an "overreliance on the prerogative asserted by the director general [Dee Forbes].
"We acknowledge and accept this failure by those members of the executive who were aware of the contract."
He will say that he has spoken to Kevin Bakhurst, the incoming Director General, and that he understands Mr Bakhurst's "first task will be a reconstitution of the Executive Board of RTÉ".
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/29/watch-live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-pac-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
14:45
Political correspondent Jennifer Bray writes: Committee members are now getting into the crux of the issue now: how the €75k top-ups were made and why the invoices were labelled as being for "consultancy fees."
Paula Mullooly, director of legal affairs of RTÉ, told the committee that it was "highly inappropriate" that the invoices were labelled as consultancy fees, when it has since emerged that they were top-up payments.
Some of the most revealing exchanges so far have been between Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster and RTÉ's chief financial Richard Collins, who has revealed some significant new information.
The committee was always going to want to know if these payments, and how they were described, rang alarm bells.
So did they?
It seems the answer from Collins was both yes and no. He described asking Dee Forbes what these invoices for "consultancy fees" were for. The conversation happened after the auditors let their concerns be known.
"I can't remember exactly how she explained it. It was to do with how RTÉ was structured during Covid-19. It was advice that Dee Forbes had received around how RTÉ structured itself and presented itself during Covid-19. I relayed back what I was told."
Collins then said: "She gave what appeared to be a plausible explanation."
And yet, under further questioning from committee chair Brian Stanley, Mr Collins then said: "I was concerned, but I knew that the director general had a close relationship with Noel Kelly."
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/29/watch-live-rte-pay-scandal-latest-ryan-tubridy-salary-controversy-pac-oireachtas-committee-dee-forbes/
14:08
RTÉ acting director general Adrian Lynch has described the arrangement made with Ryan Tubridy whereby RTÉ underwrote the deal with Renault as "absolutely appalling".
He says the only evidence he has found is that this was a deal agreed between director general Dee Forbes and NK Management on May 7th, 2020.
Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor has queried why the agent Noel Kelly has a "God-like status" within RTÉ.
RTE used the Barter Account to spend €138k on 10 year IRFU tickes, €111k on Rugby World Cup tickets for clients in 2019 and €26k on 2019 Champions League final tickets. #RtePAC
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/06/29/10-things-we-learned-from-rtes-pac-appearance-from-god-like-agents-to-tubridy-timeline/
1. Dee Forbes may be compelled to appear before the PAC
At the very outset of the hearing, PAC chair Brian Stanley said the committee will soon seek powers to compel former director general Dee Forbes to appear when "it is medically appropriate to do so." She is not the only one who politicians are determined to hear from. In Brussels, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Ryan Tubridy, his agent Noel Kelly and Ms Forbes should appear before an Oireachtas Committee. "We are trying to get to the bottom of what happened when it comes to these unusual, clandestine payments in RTÉ," Mr Varadkar said. Beyond the main officials, he said there are "other people who could shine a light on this, and they include Ryan Tubridy, they include his agent, they include Dee Forbes. There are procedures, they will be treated fairly and I think that would be the right thing to do from their part. They may have a story to tell, and I think it's right that they should be allowed to tell their side of the story."
2. RTÉ board will be overhauled or 'reconstituted'
The first task of the incoming Director General of RTÉ will be to reconstitute the broadcaster's Executive Board, the PAC was told. Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch said the board failed in its collective responsibility in the events leading to the misstatement of payments to Ryan Tubridy. Furthermore, the Government review will also examine the same issue. The secretary general of the Department of Media Katherine Licken said a planned external review into RTÉ will also examine whether its current governance framework is "fit for purpose".
3. Salaries beyond the top ten will now also be published
Chair of the board Siún Ní Raghallaigh said further salary figures will be published for other high earners in the organisation. She undertook to do so "in as soon as is practicably possible." She gave the answer in response to questions from Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor. There was an awkward moment halfway through the committee hearing when chief financial officer Richard Collins was asked what his salary is, especially given it was going to be published anyway. A long pause followed, before he revealed he is paid around €200,000 with a €25,000 car allowance on top. "It's an extraordinary amount of money," said Sinn Féin's John Brady.
4. Days of agents wielding huge power may be numbered
Ms Ní Raghallaigh was questioned by Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor who raised an issue with the "god like power" of agents. She confirmed that the broadcaster is looking at whether it should continue to deal with agents in the manner it has previously. "This is what we are looking at in relation to whether we continue with agents," she said citing "five pillars" of review of how the organisation operates.
Learn more
5. New information about 'consultancy fees'
Committee members were keen to get to the bottom of how the €75k top-ups were labelled as being for "consultancy fees" on invoices. Paula Mullooly, director of legal affairs in RTÉ, told the committee that it was "highly inappropriate" that the invoices were labelled as consultancy fees, when it has since emerged that they were top-up payments. But the most revealing exchanges were between Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster and RTÉ's chief financial officer Richard Collins. He described asking Dee Forbes what those invoices for "consultancy fees" were for. The conversation happened after the auditors let their concerns be known. "I can't remember exactly how she explained it. It was to do with how RTÉ was structured during Covid-19. It was advice that Dee Forbes had received around how RTÉ structured itself and presented itself during Covid-19. I relayed back what I was told." Collins then said: "She gave what appeared to be a plausible explanation." And yet, under further questioning from committee chair Brian Stanley, Mr Collins then said: "I was concerned, but I knew that the director general had a close relationship with Noel Kelly."
6. Presenters will have to declare all their interests
Mr Collins said that the incoming director general Kevin Bakhurst will be drawing up a register of interests that all presenters will have declare. The call for such a move was previously made by Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne who said: "I think we are going to need a register of interests for all of those in prominent positions within RTÉ ... I think to rebuild trust, that is going to be essential."
7. Phrase 'talent' to describe top presenters and others may be binned
Chair of the board Siún Ní Raghallaigh, in her opening statement, made a point about the frequent use of the phrase "the talent" to describe presenters like Ryan Tubridy. "Words matter and the term, as it is currently used, reinforces a 'them and us' culture in RTÉ. It implies some have greater worth than others. The first step in cultural change is to consign this term to the dustbin." RTÉ's Education Correspondent and chair of the NUJ Dublin broadcasting branch Emma O'Kelly welcomed this in a tweet. "To us in the Newsroom, the "talent" we're concerned about includes the young journalists who have left the organisation in recent months, seeing no future within RTÉ."
8: Some €1.5m has gone through the controversial barter account
Between €1m and €1.5m has gone through the now-controversial barter account over the last ten years, the committee heard. Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins also said it appeared the barter account was used for "expenses that came up in the commercial department that had not been budgeted for." Fine Gael's Colm Brophy labelled it a "slush fund" and there were more revelations after this too. Geraldine O'Leary, Head of Commercial in RTÉ, confirmed some of the other items paid for out of the barter account. This included €111,000 to bring clients to the Rugby World Cup, €138,000 for 10 IRFU tickets and €26,000 to bring people to the Champions League final in 2019. Chair of the RTÉ board Siún Ní Raghallaigh was asked for her reaction and she said it was "outrageous ... expenditure like that should have gone through the procurement system. I believe that that's now been put in place." Interestingly, Richard Collins also said RTÉ is "taking advice" as to whether there is a tax liability with regard to the way the barter account was used.
9. 'Possible' that Ryan Tubridy knew of concerns when he stepped down
Interim DG Adrian Lynch said "it's possible" that Ryan Tubridy was told that the payments issue had arisen before he stood down from the Late late Show. Sinn Féin TD John Brady posed the question, asking if someone could potentially have informed Mr Tubridy before he stepped down. "Based on the information from yesterday, it's possible," Mr Lynch said.
RTÉ's Adrian Lynch has said it was possible that Ryan Tubridy knew the under-reporting of his pay may be revealed before he stepped down from the Late Late. (Oireachts TV)
10. New Late Late Host Patrick Kielty will be paid €250,000 per season
Although it emerged just before the PAC started, and not during the meeting, it was revealed that the new Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty will be paid €250,000 per season. In a statement, Kielty said: "I'm being paid €250,000 per 30 show season. If additional shows are requested by RTÉ, they'll be paid on a pro-rata basis. I'm also receiving a one-off payment of €20,000 to cover the pre-production and rehearsals from now to September. The contract allows me to submit flight and accommodation expenses, but I've waived this. I've made it clear to RTÉ that I will be covering my own flights and accommodation costs. I've also asked RTÉ to carbon offset my flights."
Ryan Tubridy
RTÉ Pay Controversy
Public Accounts Committee
Rugby did well out of the Barter Fund!! Jaysus.
Need a full check on is there anybody else in the higher echelons of RTÉ on these type of 'contracts'.
Seems to be perks for the boys at the top - the establishment.
Needs to be completely stripped right back and re-built.
How could Tubridy go into the studio again and face camera staff and researchers again after this. Not his fault but immoral.
Quote from: marty34 on June 30, 2023, 08:09:50 AM
Need a full check on is there anybody else in the higher echelons of RTÉ on these type of 'contracts'.
Seems to be perks for the boys at the top - the establishment.
Needs to be completely stripped right back and re-built.
How could Tubridy go into the studio again and face camera staff and researchers again after this. Not his fault but immoral.
They were spending money they didn't have.
Underwriting the Renault deal would have been fine in 2005 when there was loads of money and nobody cared.
But now the cupboard is bare.
The CFO who doesn't know what his salary is. Like how do these people get jobs? There's a load of people in government and semi state companies who wouldn't be employable in the private sector. Anyone with any competence is working in proper companies. And it's all levels. North and South.
Deloitte have a lot to answer for here. They were at the core of the FAI scandal as well. They're absolute charlatans. Pay them enough and they will turn a blind eye to anything by the looks of it.
Quote from: trailer on June 30, 2023, 09:21:23 AM
The CFO who doesn't know what his salary is. Like how do these people get jobs? There's a load of people in government and semi state companies who wouldn't be employable in the private sector. Anyone with any competence is working in proper companies. And it's all levels. North and South.
Deloitte have a lot to answer for here. They were at the core of the FAI scandal as well. They're absolute charlatans. Pay them enough and they will turn a blind eye to anything by the looks of it.
Good point.
How do these people get these top positions? Incompetent in reality. Just look at the amount of bluffing in the PAC over the past few days. Like school children when asked by the teacher who was writing on the classroom wall. All mmmm, well, bluff and looking at each other to see who'll answer the question. Embarrassing stuff.
Only thing is if the move on, they'll walk straight into another big gig.
As I say, it's all about the establishment.
Quote from: trailer on June 30, 2023, 09:21:23 AM
The CFO who doesn't know what his salary is. Like how do these people get jobs? There's a load of people in government and semi state companies who wouldn't be employable in the private sector. Anyone with any competence is working in proper companies. And it's all levels. North and South.
Deloitte have a lot to answer for here. They were at the core of the FAI scandal as well. They're absolute charlatans. Pay them enough and they will turn a blind eye to anything by the looks of it.
There are plenty of incompetent people at CxO level in the private sector too.
The CFO and the Commercial Director came across very poorly. The Chair and the acting DG were better.
The system that paid Tubs 500k is finished.
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/30/rte-pay-scandal-live-ryan-tubridy-dee-forbes-latest-controversy-committee/?Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said revelations at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday about RTÉ's barter account were "a matter of real concern", and suggested that accounting rules and company law may have been breached at the station.He said the Government would proceed with the appointment of "someone who understands corporate governance, understands accounting, understands how organisations should be run and should not be run" to examine the situation at RTÉ and "put things right". This is understood to be Prof Niamh Brennan from UCD.
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/06/30/public-accounts-committee-has-power-to-compel-dee-forbes-ryan-tubridy-and-noel-kelly-to-attend/
Former RTÉ director general Dee Forbes, broadcaster Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly fall within the categories of persons who may be compelled to attend before the Public Accounts Committee.
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/07/01/in-the-eye-of-the-storm-noel-kelly-the-behind-the-scenes-agent-seen-as-rtes-real-director-general/
Noel Kelly might, however, find it more difficult to attract up and coming presenters.
"Because he has really destroyed Ryan Tubridy's career, by being too smart. Ryan Tubridy had an option to say no [in relation to his arrangements with RTÉ], he is not a child. But Ryan Tubridy's career has been destroyed and Noel Kelly is right in the middle of it and there is no other way to twist and turn that."
A lot made of RTE buttering up sponsors with GAA, FAI and Rugby hospitality. I'd presume this has to be done in the real world. To attract sponsors, you have to make the deal attractive to the people in the corporations making the decisions. These lads are not just thinking of sales from Advertising, they are thinking of potential junkets that will become available. If you treat them properly they'll be easier to approach the next time and word will get round in their circles.
Quote from: trailer on June 30, 2023, 09:21:23 AM
The CFO who doesn't know what his salary is. Like how do these people get jobs? There's a load of people in government and semi state companies who wouldn't be employable in the private sector. Anyone with any competence is working in proper companies. And it's all levels. North and South.
Deloitte have a lot to answer for here. They were at the core of the FAI scandal as well. They're absolute charlatans. Pay them enough and they will turn a blind eye to anything by the looks of it.
As a public sector employee I cannot tell you what my final salary figure is. Honestly. I never even open payslips
Haven't opened a payslip on over a year. Not for want of trying, went with Sage and forgot password, but the wife tells me if it's good or bad each month ;D
Quote from: imtommygunn on June 30, 2023, 10:27:36 AM
Quote from: trailer on June 30, 2023, 09:21:23 AM
The CFO who doesn't know what his salary is. Like how do these people get jobs? There's a load of people in government and semi state companies who wouldn't be employable in the private sector. Anyone with any competence is working in proper companies. And it's all levels. North and South.
Deloitte have a lot to answer for here. They were at the core of the FAI scandal as well. They're absolute charlatans. Pay them enough and they will turn a blind eye to anything by the looks of it.
There are plenty of incompetent people at CxO level in the private sector too.
Absolutely. But they tend not to last. The idea is to pay people the minimum to keep them there, not fleece the balance sheet.
To me the scandal is the behind the scenes staff took paycuts and redundancies in order to fund the top tier of talent and executives who didn't need it.
If the CFO is on 'around' 200k he should be on the list of top earners. Why isn't he? Did they forget to report executive pay to the Dail?
They don't last - they just move to cxo role in another company and on it goes.
Quote from: imtommygunn on July 02, 2023, 05:48:04 PM
They don't last - they just move to cxo role in another company and on it goes.
To an extent. But the particular malfeasance in RTE from executives going out of their way to overpay mediocrity wouldn't stand as in the private sector it's someones money
Never mind the extra money being given out, is there any chance us in the north of the county be able to enter the competitions on the Sunday game live?
I noticed an error in their so called quiz today. They said what team did Mayo beat in the All Ireland Quarter Final recently, Galway or Antrim?
It was a preliminary QF and not a QF.
Normally the execs are Teflon-coated but in this case the names are everywhere so I don't see them strolling into a cushy number.
I have to laugh at politicians jumping up and down...send in their auditors...
One of the articles today gave the best justification for Tubs' salary, that he would have no self respect if he didn't get half as much again as Ray Darcy since he was clearly twice the presenter.
Whispers are RTE to be split in two. The commercial bits like 2fm and RTE2 to be sold and the public service bit to remain
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 03, 2023, 10:25:50 AM
Whispers are RTE to be split in two. The commercial bits like 2fm and RTE2 to be sold and the public service bit to remain
We should be careful what we wish for, RTÉ2 shows most of the sport.
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 03, 2023, 10:25:50 AM
Whispers are RTE to be split in two. The commercial bits like 2fm and RTE2 to be sold and the public service bit to remain
The problems were transparency and governance. How would this fix them?
Put the TG4 management in charge of RTE tv stations
They know how to run things on a budget with no overpaid 'stars'
Quote from: CK_Redhand on July 02, 2023, 06:17:15 PM
I noticed an error in their so called quiz today. They said what team did Mayo beat in the All Ireland Quarter Final recently, Galway or Antrim?
It was a preliminary QF and not a QF.
Is the answer Antrim then? Not that I could have entered anyhow being a mere Irishman living on the island of Ireland. Scrios orthu mar RTPE.
Lots more coming out in the wash today. Reality is that these barter or slouch accounts are absolutely rampant across state companies and Government department. The amount they spend on events, staff outings, hosting, entertainment, etc etc is huge.
A lot of people sweating at the minute and hoping this doesn't escalate. And it's from big state bodies to the local councils. Dressed up as conventions, junkets etc but it's everyone.
Private business do it but it's their funds to do as they please. The state bodies are never left behind. Every Friday is like Christmas Day in some of those offices.
Barter accounts are par for the course in the business. Unless they find more Tubs dirt I don't see why all the excitement is necessary
The sense of entitlement from these execs and the absolute smugness and disdain they have with respect to questions they are being asked is on another level.
Quote from: 93-DY-SAM on July 05, 2023, 03:12:58 PM
The sense of entitlement from these execs and the absolute smugness and disdain they have with respect to questions they are being asked is on another level.
They are basically looking at it and defending it from a commercial viewpoint. That what they done and used the barter account was to drive further commercial revenue and maintain client relationships. Like happens all the time in the corporate world. On the face of it, that would carry water but when they seem to be on the receiving end, plus the side contract for Tubs and it's public money and the financial situation in RTE with staff cuts and disparity in wage levels, it's a total shit show for them. Plus they don't seem to have a straight story between them.
Quote from: seafoid on July 05, 2023, 01:10:00 PM
Barter accounts are par for the course in the business. Unless they find more Tubs dirt I don't see why all the excitement is necessary
Are they though?
I see they paid €500 odd to Shamrock Rovers for a golf classic via the barter account. What money could Rovers have owed them to offset requiring this treatment? Looks like they were hiding transactions that benefitted high earners into these accounts
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 05, 2023, 04:29:16 PM
Quote from: seafoid on July 05, 2023, 01:10:00 PM
Barter accounts are par for the course in the business. Unless they find more Tubs dirt I don't see why all the excitement is necessary
Are they though?
I see they paid €500 odd to Shamrock Rovers for a golf classic via the barter account. What money could Rovers have owed them to offset requiring this treatment? Looks like they were hiding transactions that benefitted high earners into these accounts
Apparently they are in the media business. Loads of entertaining and going to big tournaments. Accounting at year end.b
I don't mind the jollies etc. That's the business of business. If they come across as a bunch of miserable penny pinchers they'll find it hard to win business and keep commercial business. But just be f**king up front about. Hiding it in a web of accounts is wild looking. The Tubs stuff is over the line though.
Jollies happen and, as RTE is an organisation dependent on commercial revenue, client entertainment is a necessary evil. One I absolutely hate regardless of the industry, but a necessary one all the same.
However as a body in receipt of taxpayer funding there is an onus on RTE to be whiter than white and to spend such funding wisely. A pittance in the grand scheme of things but the idea that €5,000 needed to be spent on Havaianas for a summer party is laughable, and easy to pick on by media or politicians looking to grandstand.
There was one today about an employee who is in receipt of a car allowance also having "a lend of" a company car. For five years. And it was returned yesterday. Madness.
Is Prime Time done for the Summer??
https://www.irishtimes.com/media/2023/07/06/rte-board-seeks-swift-action-as-trust-in-national-broadcaster-dwindles/Ms Ní Raghaillaigh wrote to incoming director general Kevin Bakhurst as well as acting deputy DG Adrian Lynch demanding that "swift action be taken" after trust and confidence was eroded by the "deeply unsatisfactory nature in which information is being provided by the executive".
The escalating divisions come amid diminishing board confidence over the current composition of the executive board, compounded by events this week in which yet more unexpected information emerged about the broadcaster's use of barter accounts and the extent of its spending on corporate hospitality.
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/07/06/flip-flops-are-the-least-of-rtes-problems/Donohoe is one of a group in government who are supporters of public-service broadcasting but often privately critical of the station. He was one of the fiercest opponents of the bid by RTÉ for more State support last year. There are several others who share his views. There are some outright critics of the station in the Government; and there are supporters too. Catherine Martin, the relevant Minister, is reckoned by most to be one. Tánaiste Micheál Martin is usually open to looking favourably on RTÉ's frequent requests, insiders say.
But what all fear now is the state of RTÉ once this phase of the scandal abates. It will surely damage commercial revenues. Additional State funding is a political impossibility right now. And that means only one thing: RTÉ is facing a financial crisis in the near future. And what happens then?
Conscious of the fact that the commercial realities will move more quickly than the political ones, some people in the Government are already trying to figure out the way out of this. Two of them spoke privately to The Irish Times this afternoon; both say it will involve a smaller RTÉ, doing a narrower range of things, more clearly identifiable as public-service broadcasting.
Deciding how to do that is going to be a very painful process for the station; changes will be imposed on an angry workforce, not by the Government or management decree but by financial reality. It is also likely that it will be under substantially new leadership. Tough and all as these past few weeks have been for RTÉ and its staff, the hard times are by no means over.
Quote from: 93-DY-SAM on July 05, 2023, 03:12:58 PM
The sense of entitlement from these execs and the absolute smugness and disdain they have with respect to questions they are being asked is on another level.
Totally agree, they come across as somewhat aloof. Not living in the country, is that a job they are appointed to or do they have to apply for it, and is it one of those jobs for life deals.
Listening to their accents, doesn't seem like too many of them would have a difficult commute to the office.
Quote from: gallsman on July 05, 2023, 05:43:14 PM
Jollies happen and, as RTE is an organisation dependent on commercial revenue, client entertainment is a necessary evil. One I absolutely hate regardless of the industry, but a necessary one all the same.
However as a body in receipt of taxpayer funding there is an onus on RTE to be whiter than white and to spend such funding wisely. A pittance in the grand scheme of things but the idea that €5,000 needed to be spent on Havaianas for a summer party is laughable, and easy to pick on by media or politicians looking to grandstand.
There was one today about an employee who is in receipt of a car allowance also having "a lend of" a company car. For five years. And it was returned yesterday. Madness.
Agree some of the stuff is ridiculous and gives tabloids headlines they couldn't dream of.
A Marty party indeed!
Poor Marty was he getting free petrol as well.
All coming out now. I'd say there was a few more getting 'benefits'.
Needs a serious clean out. A sham of a place at the top level.
The establishment.
If the agreement was Mc at our gigs and we'll give you a car is there any real problem with that? I mean I can't see who would be upset by this (bar the taxman).
I mean I'd say all of the rte GAA panelists at one time or another have gotten the free use of a car. It's pretty much a rite of passage in the GAA.
What is the big deal about Marty getting a motor off Renault?
I don't see what the fuss is about.
And no doubt once BIK was paid on the free Car
There won't be any issue
What was suggested yesterday was that he had a car allowance while also getting a lend of a car.
Quote from: clonadmad on July 06, 2023, 06:54:25 PM
And no doubt once BIK was paid on the free Car
There won't be any issue
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
One hopes that he declared the BIK to the Revenue.
(https://scontent.fdub7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/347628098_10229089266992767_7752089288139123268_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p228x119&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=isAGSHL3yPsAX_shqNT&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub7-1.fna&oh=00_AfBEJZ3XiwwlYT819NyDFMBNiTf3sp_xlPlETqRitYb9UQ&oe=64AC966F)
Hopefully Ger Canning is caught with his hand in the cookie jar too and we get a clear out.
There's plenty of cash in hand merchants. Revenue will be chasing up a lot of the talent.
Quote from: Ash Smoker on July 06, 2023, 06:53:18 PM
What is the big deal about Marty getting a motor off Renault?
I don't see what the fuss is about.
Me neither
Quote from: seafoid on July 07, 2023, 05:19:53 AM
Quote from: Ash Smoker on July 06, 2023, 06:53:18 PM
What is the big deal about Marty getting a motor off Renault?
I don't see what the fuss is about.
Me neither
If there has not been a tax payment then that's what the fuss is about. It's more money taken from the public. I know we'd all prefer it was someone other than Marty. But _if_ there has not been a tax event then it's tax evasion.
Well there is another angle brewing as he was driving around a Renault on his Road Trip TV show.
Did he get another sweetener for that?
The issue is the governance. Staff and contractors are meant to be getting these signed off and they didn't.
Also all the jumping around about commercial funds. They brought in 1.6bn and used 1.6m. That's a great return. Who is going to make up that balance now it's all gone to shite??
And again nothing illegal is going on, but the way they do it and try to hide it from the public is the issue.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on July 07, 2023, 07:51:48 AM
We can be fairly fickle on that to be fair. GAA managers the length & breadth of the country are in receipt of under the table payments. Not one continental fcuk do people give.
That's GAA money. You can be jailed if you don't fund RTE
Marty got the "loan" of a car for five years. I suppose that was a bit of an unusual arrangement. Presuming he paid his own insurance, car tax and petrol etc and was the registered keeper of the vehicle, the only issue I could see would be the possible non-disclosure of a Benefit in Kind to the Revenue. Mind you if there was nothing to see here, why did he return the car?
Quote from: Pub Bore on July 07, 2023, 09:48:21 AM
Marty got the "loan" of a car for five years. I suppose that was a bit of an unusual arrangement. Presuming he paid his own insurance, car tax and petrol etc and was the registered keeper of the vehicle, the only issue I could see would be the possible non-disclosure of a Benefit in Kind to the Revenue. Mind you if there was nothing to see here, why did he return the car?
There was a suggestion that he was claiming a "car allowance" from RTÉ as well. Obviously, his work would take him to Omagh and Killarney and a fair bit of driving.
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
The papers are full of RTE but there is no meat in any of the articles. Marty has a car. So what.
there is 1.3 m in a barter account.. So what.
Just fire a few executives and get it over with .
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:38:15 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
If i didn't tell him he would be none the wiser.
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 01:40:43 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:38:15 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
If i didn't tell him he would be none the wiser.
True
But if you really think that's something you shouldn't disclose, then you might be a better man for the magic beans
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:44:46 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 01:40:43 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:38:15 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
If i didn't tell him he would be none the wiser.
True
But if you really think that's something you shouldn't disclose, then you might be a better man for the magic beans
Wouldn't be bothered i had a company car for years and never paid a cent in BIK.
A supposedly impartial news organisation like RTE should never allow its broadcasters or journalists to be in the pocket of commercial interests. It's fine to raise commercial revenue via sponsorships and advertising, but the news/broadcast staff themselves should be independent of the influence. It's very poor governance by RTE to allow this.
Quote from: weareros on July 07, 2023, 04:20:49 PM
A supposedly impartial news organisation like RTE should never allow its broadcasters or journalists to be in the pocket of commercial interests. It's fine to raise commercial revenue via sponsorships and advertising, but the news/broadcast staff themselves should be independent of the influence. It's very poor governance by RTE to allow this.
Who was the Stations biggest sponsor the last 3+ years?
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 02:13:28 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:44:46 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 01:40:43 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:38:15 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
If i didn't tell him he would be none the wiser.
True
But if you really think that's something you shouldn't disclose, then you might be a better man for the magic beans
Wouldn't be bothered i had a company car for years and never paid a cent in BIK.
Not sure why that's relevant here
Good for you though
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 05:43:38 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 02:13:28 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:44:46 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 01:40:43 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 07, 2023, 01:38:15 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on July 07, 2023, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Cavan19 on July 07, 2023, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 07, 2023, 11:50:36 AM
Presumably he was paying for the fuel?
Was it any of RTÉ's concern where he got the car from or whether he'd paid for it, got it free or whatever?
I know my boss doesn't question where i got the car i drive from.
Did a commercial partner of your company give you a car no strings attached for no obvious reason?
No but if they did i don't think my boss would be asking where i got my car.
Seriously?
A supplier (or client) gifts you a motor and your boss doesn't wonder how that came about?
If you want to pass on their details, I've a few magic beans I could put their way
If i didn't tell him he would be none the wiser.
True
But if you really think that's something you shouldn't disclose, then you might be a better man for the magic beans
Wouldn't be bothered i had a company car for years and never paid a cent in BIK.
Not sure why that's relevant here
Good for you though
Cavan man
Often wondered how those ambassador deals from car dealers work for GAA stars and the like work from a Revenue/BIK work. Is it a barter agreement? Not an employer/employee relationship or is it with benefit passing?
I did enjoy the outrage from some that was building but then turned when it was revealed to be Marty. Joe Brolly been a prime example. Paul Galvin another but his missus on the radio too.
I didn't see much wrong with what Marty done as per statement but would suspect there more to it
Will he be paying back the BIK tax that was not claimed?
I couldnt wait to get rid of company car, the tax can be high enough, certainly in the North, I'd imagine it's higher again in the South
Would the biggest show in the country's star made the front page of the Sun ????
Front page news 2 days in a row in the IN, I see the boul Gregory is having a swing at him.
Quote from: pbat on July 08, 2023, 01:04:04 PM
Would the biggest show in the country's star made the front page of the Sun ????
Unfortunately, it's not him.
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 07, 2023, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: weareros on July 07, 2023, 04:20:49 PM
A supposedly impartial news organisation like RTE should never allow its broadcasters or journalists to be in the pocket of commercial interests. It's fine to raise commercial revenue via sponsorships and advertising, but the news/broadcast staff themselves should be independent of the influence. It's very poor governance by RTE to allow this.
Who was the Stations biggest sponsor the last 3+ years?
Don't know as I don't think that's public but Renault would be up there as sponsors of the Late Late.
Quote from: weareros on July 08, 2023, 03:48:09 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 07, 2023, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: weareros on July 07, 2023, 04:20:49 PM
A supposedly impartial news organisation like RTE should never allow its broadcasters or journalists to be in the pocket of commercial interests. It's fine to raise commercial revenue via sponsorships and advertising, but the news/broadcast staff themselves should be independent of the influence. It's very poor governance by RTE to allow this.
Who was the Stations biggest sponsor the last 3+ years?
Don't know as I don't think that's public but Renault would be up there as sponsors of the Late Late.
Not even close!
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 08, 2023, 03:53:26 PM
Quote from: weareros on July 08, 2023, 03:48:09 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 07, 2023, 05:08:25 PM
Quote from: weareros on July 07, 2023, 04:20:49 PM
A supposedly impartial news organisation like RTE should never allow its broadcasters or journalists to be in the pocket of commercial interests. It's fine to raise commercial revenue via sponsorships and advertising, but the news/broadcast staff themselves should be independent of the influence. It's very poor governance by RTE to allow this.
Who was the Stations biggest sponsor the last 3+ years?
Don't know as I don't think that's public but Renault would be up there as sponsors of the Late Late.
Not even close!
One of the big supermarkets, insurance companies, or will you share?
Tubs and Kelly did well. I think their beef is with the former board and their byzantine ways.
Not with RTE.
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Inability of the shinners to let the 2 men speak, speaks volumes. Childish behaviour, but what else would you expect
Quote from: 5times5times on July 11, 2023, 03:00:54 PM
Inability of the shinners to let the 2 men speak, speaks volumes. Childish behaviour, but what else would you expect
Just can't hide it, all the angles in this story and you have to bring it back to SF ::)
Ryan has been on TV for years, But is it First time he was on Fr Ted ? Or is it only Fools and Horses ?
Quote from: Itchy on July 11, 2023, 02:46:42 PM
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Today brought things on a lot.
The Renault money will be paid if the shows are done. So no public money involved.
The previous CFO has a lot of responsibility. But it's probably not conspiracy, rather incompetence.
Two Victims Ryan & Noel Ffs give me a breaker , Two Lying arrogant tnucs if you ask me
Quote from: seafoid on July 11, 2023, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: Itchy on July 11, 2023, 02:46:42 PM
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Today brought things on a lot.
The Renault money will be paid if the shows are done. So no public money involved.
The previous CFO has a lot of responsibility. But it's probably not conspiracy, rather incompetence.
The Renault money will be
paid P
AID BACK if the shows are
NOT done.
So no public money involved.
The new DG, Kevin Bakhurst, was interviewed on RTE. He said that a lot of fault attached to people in RTE but not all.
And he named Noel Kelly. Tubs might be in. It might suit RTE to end the link with Kelly anyway.
Quote from: fearbrags on July 11, 2023, 06:39:40 PM
Two Victims Ryan & Noel Ffs give me a breaker , Two Lying arrogant tnucs if you ask me
Correct, two bluffers.
Quote from: seafoid on July 11, 2023, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: Itchy on July 11, 2023, 02:46:42 PM
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Today brought things on a lot.
The Renault money will be paid if the shows are done. So no public money involved.
The previous CFO has a lot of responsibility. But it's probably not conspiracy, rather incompetence.
This has to be sarcastic
Otherwise that's as bad a reading of basic facts as I've seen
Then to arrive at a conclusion that's totally wrong
Quote from: Franko on July 12, 2023, 09:00:19 AM
Quote from: seafoid on July 11, 2023, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: Itchy on July 11, 2023, 02:46:42 PM
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Today brought things on a lot.
The Renault money will be paid if the shows are done. So no public money involved.
The previous CFO has a lot of responsibility. But it's probably not conspiracy, rather incompetence.
This has to be sarcastic
Otherwise that's as bad a reading of basic facts as I've seen
Then to arrive at a conclusion that's totally wrong
This has nothing to do with the clubs, Franko
Quote from: seafoid on July 12, 2023, 09:20:22 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 12, 2023, 09:00:19 AM
Quote from: seafoid on July 11, 2023, 05:14:08 PM
Quote from: Itchy on July 11, 2023, 02:46:42 PM
While you can say what you like about Tubridy, it seems to me he didnt do a lot wrong. He was promised X amount of money to do his job and it was RTE shitehawking with payments that is the scandal here. Theyve been badly caught out today. Its also an amazing coincidence that Coveney's brother resigned just before the whole board were let go. Its almost like he knew it was coming, but how? ::)
Today brought things on a lot.
The Renault money will be paid if the shows are done. So no public money involved.
The previous CFO has a lot of responsibility. But it's probably not conspiracy, rather incompetence.
This has to be sarcastic
Otherwise that's as bad a reading of basic facts as I've seen
Then to arrive at a conclusion that's totally wrong
This has nothing to do with the clubs, Franko
From your perspective, it has very little to do with logic and reason either
Both RTE and Tubridy in the wrong.
RTE pretended they were giving Tubs a paycut, but asked Renault to pay him the 75k instead. They gave Renault credit in their marketing spend for this, so this was costing Renault nothing - effectively RTE gave the 75k to Renault and they gave it to Tubs.
Then when Renault pulled out, RTE had to make the 75k payment to Tubs, but instead of classifying it as salaries/contractors, they kept it in the marketing account. Clear deception on RTE's part. And then understated his salary when disclosing top earners.
Tubs at fault for saying nothing when his total salary was incorrectly reported by RTE. He admitted he knew the reported figures were wrong, but he just kept the head down. I'd call that lying to the public by omission.
The committee had done a good job at interviewing the RTE honchos in prior days, but they were quite poor in their interrogation of Tubs and Kelly I thought.
The RTE Commercial Director (now retired) claimed that the RTE Director General (now resigned) told her that RTE was under pressure to pay the two €75k invoices for "Consultancy" through the barter account as payment for Ryan Tubridy. Though he denies it, the pressure was obviously coming from Ryan Tubridy's agent, Noel Kelly, who would get a handsome cut. Yesterday it became quite clear that there was no contract other that a supposed verbal commitment.
I believe there were three €75k payments in total. Ryan Tubridy provided 3 "Late Late Road Shows" for Renault in 2022 as per the "agreement". The other 2 years' roadshows (3 per year) are outstanding – Ryan Tubridy was paid for these via the two dodgy invoices through the barter account. This cost a 35% commission to the barter company on each invoice – all for the purposes of hiding these payments . There was no mention of paying back this money until yesterday – Ryan Tubridy has committed to return the €150k if these outstanding roadshows don't happen. I'm sure Patrick Kielty won't do them !
I believe that Noel Kelly was less than honest yesterday and that he was the instigator of these two seemingly fraudulent payments. His company issued the two seemingly fraudulent invoices for "consultancy". His excuse – "RTE told me to do it ". RTE were obviously complicit. At best Ryan Tubridy was very naive in this whole matter. I don't believe he set out to deceive but he is still standing by his agent Noel Kelly. Unless he publicly apologies for the actions of his agent he should not be allowed back into RTE.
Tomorrow's committee hearings will probably hear RTE rebut some of Noel Kelly's evidence – it brings to mind the saying "there is no honour among thieves".
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on July 12, 2023, 12:16:32 PM
The RTE Commercial Director (now retired) claimed that the RTE Director General (now resigned) told her that RTE was under pressure to pay the two €75k invoices for "Consultancy" through the barter account as payment for Ryan Tubridy. Though he denies it, the pressure was obviously coming from Ryan Tubridy's agent, Noel Kelly, who would get a handsome cut. Yesterday it became quite clear that there was no contract other that a supposed verbal commitment.
I believe there were three €75k payments in total. Ryan Tubridy provided 3 "Late Late Road Shows" for Renault in 2022 as per the "agreement". The other 2 years' roadshows (3 per year) are outstanding – Ryan Tubridy was paid for these via the two dodgy invoices through the barter account. This cost a 35% commission to the barter company on each invoice – all for the purposes of hiding these payments . There was no mention of paying back this money until yesterday – Ryan Tubridy has committed to return the €150k if these outstanding roadshows don't happen. I'm sure Patrick Kielty won't do them !
I believe that Noel Kelly was less than honest yesterday and that he was the instigator of these two seemingly fraudulent payments. His company issued the two seemingly fraudulent invoices for "consultancy". His excuse – "RTE told me to do it ". RTE were obviously complicit. At best Ryan Tubridy was very naive in this whole matter. I don't believe he set out to deceive but he is still standing by his agent Noel Kelly. Unless he publicly apologies for the actions of his agent he should not be allowed back into RTE.
Tomorrow's committee hearings will probably hear RTE rebut some of Noel Kelly's evidence – it brings to mind the saying "there is no honour among thieves".
On what planet are Renault, no longer a sponsor of the LLS, going to ask Tubs, no longer the presenter of the LLS, to do 6 corporate gigs with all this going on?
I don't believe Tubs was naive at all. Given the time I'm sure he was well aware of the optics of people's pay being cut, and would have been delighted to be seen to be doing his bit like everyone else, all in the comfort of knowing he was losing anything at all. He may not have done anything illegal, but his actions stink.
Quote from: marty34 on July 12, 2023, 08:56:54 AM
Quote from: fearbrags on July 11, 2023, 06:39:40 PM
Two Victims Ryan & Noel Ffs give me a breaker , Two Lying arrogant tnucs if you ask me
Correct, two bluffers.
Watched about twenty minutes of it, pretty much thought the same.
2 real pieces of sh*t
Seemingly Bennett announcing how many games in each sport RTE showed got soccer wrong by a margin
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/07/12/bakhurst-to-describe-rte-payments-scandal-as-shameful/The new director general of RTÉ is to tell an Oireachtas committee that the controversy over undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy led to "one of the most shameful and damaging episodes in the organisation's history".
Can Tubrity realistically work again after this?
Quote from: trailer on July 13, 2023, 10:54:42 AM
Can Tubrity realistically work again after this?
Would he need to with the amount of money he's been paid?
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 13, 2023, 11:29:11 AM
Quote from: trailer on July 13, 2023, 10:54:42 AM
Can Tubrity realistically work again after this?
Would he need to with the amount of money he's been paid?
Who's going to help the kids to read if he gets the boot?
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmgNBUdpXAVdr99Y7UAfByXPXXVaOHlFhFkIsIYbqx-w&s)
Quote from: johnnycool on July 13, 2023, 11:45:00 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 13, 2023, 11:29:11 AM
Quote from: trailer on July 13, 2023, 10:54:42 AM
Can Tubrity realistically work again after this?
Would he need to with the amount of money he's been paid?
Who's going to help the kids to read if he gets the boot?
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmgNBUdpXAVdr99Y7UAfByXPXXVaOHlFhFkIsIYbqx-w&s)
He'd have a right lifestyle to fund. All relative I suppose
Quote from: johnnycool on July 13, 2023, 11:45:00 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 13, 2023, 11:29:11 AM
Quote from: trailer on July 13, 2023, 10:54:42 AM
Can Tubrity realistically work again after this?
Would he need to with the amount of money he's been paid?
Who's going to help the kids to read if he gets the boot?
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmgNBUdpXAVdr99Y7UAfByXPXXVaOHlFhFkIsIYbqx-w&s)
Reading between the lines , Tubs will be accommodated but Kelly won't.
RTE said to the PAC that the email agreeing to the underwriting of the Renault deal was not followed through.
This is bollocks. Dee Forbes pushed it through. There is so much deception.
Tubs. Cancelled!!!
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ryan-tubridy-dumped-by-rte-and-will-not-be-returning-to-the-airwaves/a1841866748.html (https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ryan-tubridy-dumped-by-rte-and-will-not-be-returning-to-the-airwaves/a1841866748.html)
No plans for Tubridy to return
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0817/1400184-rte-tubridy/
Might kick this on again.
The place is full of rats and canteen has been closed for months.
A bit of the ceiling fell on someone's head in the newsroom yesterday...
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/rte-staff-member-hit-by-grill-that-fell-from-newsroom-ceiling/a472040222.html
Can workers refuse to go in in this case?
Oh, and the Toy Show report is due out soon...