Laois TD wants Dee Forbes before Dáil Committee over RTÉ pay to Tubridy

Former RTÉ boss Dee Forbes and other current and retired RTÉ managers should come into Leinster House to answer questions about the pay deal with Ryan Tubridy, insists Sinn Féin TD and chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Brian Stanley.

The Laois Offaly TD has outlined that the committee is seeking further witnesses and outstanding documents promised to the members. So far Ms Forbes has not attended due to ill health.

“As Chair of the PAC, there are a number of witnesses that I want to see before the committee when they are available.

“These are former Director General Dee Forbes, former Chief Financial Officer Breda O’Keefe, former Commercial Director Geraldine O’Leary and former Director of Content Jim Jennings.

“Three of those individuals have not been before the PAC yet and I believe each of them have invaluable information to provide to the committee," he said.

Dep Stanley also wants more documents and credibility from the broadcaster.

“The committee is eager to see the Grant Thornton report into the 2017-2019 payments to Ryan Tubridy. We have yet to hear any credible answers from RTÉ representatives regarding these payments and when we see that report we may well need to speak again to other witnesses.

“Finally, there are a number of documents still outstanding that the PAC requested from RTÉ representatives. These include:A copy of the side letter between Noel Kelly and Dee Forbes from a Teams call on the 7th of May 2020 that allegedly agreed and underwrote the tripartite agreement.

"Confirmation from RTÉ that it is satisfied that all tax liabilities have been covered off regarding the two €75,000 barter payments for services by Ryan Tubridy.

"Breda O’Keefe’s retirement package and the minutes from the Executive board outlining who signed off on it.
Copy of Dee Forbes’ contract," he said.

Dep Stanley, who has chaired a number of days of questioning of RTÉ management as well as a meeting with Tubridy and his agent, Noel Kelly, also wants info on other presenter fees.

"A full audit over the past five years of appearances by the top 20 stars in RTÉ on shows that they were not involved in. This cross-fertilisation is also valuable.

“It is my view that, once we have received these documents and the Grant Thornton report, we will need to have a further hearing with RTÉ representatives,” concluded Dep Stanley.

The statement was issued as new RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst held face to face talks with Ryan Tubridy about his future in the broadcaster.