The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D., announced today that she expects to be in a position in the coming days to finalise the Terms of Reference of the Review of Governance and Culture in RTÉ which she intends to commission as a matter of urgency.
The Minister intends to establish an Expert Governance Group to oversee the process.
The issue was discussed with Cabinet colleagues at this morning’s Government meeting.
The Minister’s Department will consult with stakeholders, including the NUJ before the Terms of Reference are finalised.
The Minister will bring the finalised Terms of Reference to Government in the coming days.
Subject to this further engagement with relevant stakeholders and Government colleagues over the coming days, the Minister anticipates that the review would address a range of issues including:
- whether RTÉ’s governance framework is fit for purpose and is in line with best governance practice in Commercial State Bodies, taking account of broadcasting legislation, and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requirements
- the findings from the Grant Thornton reviews commissioned by RTÉ in relation to both the 2021-2022 overpayments (now complete) and 2017-2019 period (about to commence) and what specific governance issues need to be addressed arising from these reviews;
- The organisational culture and its impact on levels of trust, governance, transparency and communications and on changes which should be made;
- Examine how the commercial element of RTÉ’s operations impacts on its public service remit.
The Minister said:
“RTÉ and public service broadcasting have been badly damaged by the revelations in recent days. The Government is moving quickly to finalise the Terms of this independent external review. It is vitally important that we get this right as we need to restore public confidence in RTÉ. My Department will be engaging with key stakeholders in the coming days, in order to finalise the Terms of Reference. In the meantime, I have asked RTÉ to ensure there is full cooperation with any Oireachtas hearings and that outstanding questions in the public interest are answered comprehensively.”
