The Chairman of RTÉ has confirmed that the broadcaster is considering a redundancy payment of around €400,000 to an individual who may have refused to appear before an Oireachtas committee. Despite no final decision being made, the process has been ongoing for a few months, with Minister for Media Catherine Martin aware of the potential payment.
During an appearance before the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, Mr. O’Rourke also mentioned the possibility of an exit package of €400,000 being approved by the RTÉ board. This raised concerns among members of the committee, with Deputy Griffin questioning the transparency of the process.
Mr. O’Rourke highlighted the efforts to reform RTÉ’s culture, emphasizing openness and transparency within the organization. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with the Department of Social Protection regarding employment contracts and the need for a new financing framework for RTÉ.
Overall, while facing challenges, Mr. O’Rourke remains optimistic about the future of RTÉ and the dedication of its staff in providing high-quality content.