
Wednesday 06 September 2023
Context is key in examining the RT Annual Report for 2022 which is available at www.rte.ie/annualreport.
To begin with, the Annual Report deals with the RT of 2022. It does not deal with the changing RT of 2023.
The Annual Report was finalised before the crises and turbulence of recent times and before the announcement of a series of organisational changes and reforms in RT .
However, the Report does set out the significant and ongoing contribution of RT staff and the Independent Production sector in producing diverse, quality programming for television, digital and radio platforms.
In keeping with previous years, and in line with its statutory obligations, RT 's Annual Report for 2022 was approved by the Board of RT and sent to Minister Martin at the end of June this year.
With regard to the restatement of earnings for Mr. Tubridy which was made on 22 June 2023, this restatement had no impact on our audited financial statements. In relation to the Annual Report it is important to note the following:
The two payments of 75,000 each, which were recorded in the Barter Account, were processed in the accounts as a charge of 115,000 each, being the grossed-up cost to the Barter Account when allowing for 35% commission.
This total of 230,000 is included in the overall Operating costs (before depreciation, amortisation, gain on disposal of assets) of 339.3 million as shown in the Group Income Statement on page 115 of the Annual Report or in the Financial Statements menu of the online version (Group Income Statement section).
The overall operating costs number is further analysed in note 3 to the Accounts (page 131 of the Annual Report or in the Notes section of the Financial Statements menu in the online version) and as the invoices were referenced as promotion costs and booked as such, the 230,000 is included in the Other third-party costs figure of 42.45 million.
For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that, subsequent to the completion of this report, Grant Thornton LLP established that the payments in question were not, in fact, promotion costs.
The Annual Report for 2022 represents a particular moment in time for RT , a time when a different culture was prevalent.
But now we must deal with the legacy of this siloed and dysfunctional culture.
As an organisation we cannot shy away from the shortcomings and challenges that have been identified. Nor will we.
In the period since June 2023, we have moved swiftly to address a number of matters so that public trust can be restored in our national broadcaster.
Some of the actions we have taken include increased Board oversight of senior remuneration and the proposed introduction of a register of interests and register of external activities for certain staff and contractors. We are working to break down the old ineffective model and the poor governance which have been identified through an ongoing programme of reform and recovery for the organisation.
Furthermore, a new interim leadership team has been appointed by our new Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, and we are bringing an overall commitment to management accountability and transparency.
The Board has established two Oversight Committees to work with both Government Reviews, on governance and culture and in relation to contractor fees, HR and other matters.
We know that RT has a long way to go in rebuilding our bond of trust with the public. However, I believe that working together across all strands of the organisation, we can do so.
The Board of RT is absolutely committed to working with the Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst to make necessary changes and important decisions that will be vital as we seek to reestablish trust in RT . We must, and we will.
Si n N Raghallaigh
Chair, Board of RT
More from RTE
07/07/2025
RT has announced that Mark Bignell has been appointed Commissioning Editor for Comedy following a public competition. This senior editorial position will drive...
04/07/2025
The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...
01/07/2025
The Traitors are coming: Get your first taste of the global hit as Season 1 of T...
01/07/2025
RT has announced that Teresa Smith has been appointed Commissioning Editor with responsibility for Factual Entertainment following a public competition. This s...
01/07/2025
This July, RT is delighted to support Galway International Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal, Belfast TradFest and 23 other arts and cultural ev...
30/06/2025
All 8 episodes of Season 1 of 1923 will be available on RT Player from Tuesday ...
26/06/2025
Keeper Pictures, the Dublin-based scripted production company whose credits include The Gone and Striking Out, has optioned the exclusive TV adaptation rights t...
26/06/2025
This July, RT presents The Phone Box Babies, a documentary revealing new insigh...
25/06/2025
RT has confirmed its Monday night television series, Upfront with Katie Hannon has come to an end and will not be returning in September following three season...
24/06/2025
Women's Euros, Women's Rugby World Cup, European Hockey Championships, GAA Championships, World Athletics Championships, Irish Open, Horse Racing and mu...
24/06/2025
RT has today announced details of its summer line-up of home-grown documentarie...
19/06/2025
RT and ITV have today announced that filming is underway in Dublin on the third and final series of Element Pictures' award-winning 8 30' comedy drama ...
18/06/2025
To date the Toy Show Appeal has raised over 26 million since its inception in 2...
16/06/2025
Run with Ray is back! RT Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show hits the road th...
13/06/2025
In fulfilment of a recommendation by the Government's Expert Advisory Commit...
11/06/2025
RT Commercial has today announced Mercedes-Benz Ireland as the car partner of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RT One and RT Player in the Autumn.
Mercedes-B...
10/06/2025
Family described their shock and distress at seeing footage of their father bein...
06/06/2025
Monday 9 June, 8pm on RT One and RT Player
Hip hop duo Tebi Rex, K la's R n n Snodaigh, John Spillane and Eve Belle among mentors
Promo: An Ghig Mh ...
05/06/2025
Stuart Carolan and Chris Addison team up on darkly comedic drama starring Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Gillen, Phillipa Dunne and Packy Lee
From top left to right: ...
04/06/2025
Experts condemn leading private nursing home care provided referring to instance...
04/06/2025
Experts condemn leading private nursing home care provided referring to instance...
03/06/2025
This June, RT is delighted to support 20 arts and cultural events all over Ireland spanning art, theatre, film, writing and literature, multiple genres of musi...
03/06/2025
RT is pleased to announce the appointment of David Crean as Head of Drama, following an external competition.
After an earlier career as a director and a prod...
02/06/2025
RT Commercial has announced laya healthcare, as the new sponsor of 2FM Breakfas...
31/05/2025
RT Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes | RT YouTube
RT will broadcast an RT Investigates documentary with undercover footage relating to sta...
30/05/2025
Stolen Sister | RT Radio Player YouTube
Sisters of Elizabeth Plunkett, who was murdered by Ireland's first serial killers, speak for this first time i...
29/05/2025
Dragon Hearts- RT documentary follows cancer survivors united through the power...
29/05/2025
2FM is hitting the road this summer, broadcasting live from Ireland's biggest music festivals, starting with Forbidden Fruit this June Bank Holiday weekend....
29/05/2025
Aistear an Amhr in RT series reveals fascinating stories behind Ireland's ...
28/05/2025
This summer, RT , in collaboration with Ireland's vibrant independent produc...
28/05/2025
Debbie Brophy has been crowned the winner of Super Garden 2025. The garden design challenge, now in its 16th series, has once again showcased the extraordinary ...
27/05/2025
RT is pleased to announce the appointment of Hugh Ormond to the new role, Head of Podcasting, following an internal competition.
In this pivotal role to the ...
27/05/2025
RT will meet with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport on Wednesday 28th May, 2025.
The Committee identified a nu...
23/05/2025
In an email to RT staff this evening, RT Director General stated as follows:
Dear colleagues,
RT 's VEP 2025 is now closed. I can confirm that we receiv...
23/05/2025
Featuring guest writers Edel Coffey, Mike McCormack, Sin ad Moriarty, Dave Rudde...
22/05/2025
In line with the published New Direction strategy, RT has launched a commissioning process that will see all Christian Worship content on RT 's video platf...
22/05/2025
Prime Time speaks to Charleen Murphy, an influencer whose online harassment turned into a real-world attack
Tonight, Prime Time hosts a special programme focus...
22/05/2025
RT 's Today show, in conjunction with Ireland's oldest publishing house Mercier Press, have announced Ireland's newest published author. Rebecca M...
21/05/2025
RT is pleased to announce the appointment of Eleanor O'Shaughnessy as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (CRCO), following a public competition. Eleanor bri...
19/05/2025
RT is today publishing a statistical summary from the Register of External Activities for the fourth quarter of 2024.
The RT Register of External Activities ...
18/05/2025
Ballyduff Drama Group from Co. Waterford Scoops Top Award in 2025 RT All-Irelan...
16/05/2025
Live RT Radio 1 shows with Louise Duffy, Countrywide and Mooney Goes Wild
RT ...
15/05/2025
The Football Association of Ireland and RT have today announced a new two-year ...
12/05/2025
What is success? How is it achieved? And what does it really cost? These are the...
09/05/2025
Further to the comments from RT Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst on Wednesday 7th May included below in which he asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel...
09/05/2025
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
In the season finale of The Late Late Show, ...
09/05/2025
My Eurovision Party 2025 - join in on the fun with RT Kids!
Eurovision launche...
08/05/2025
The Liveline is now open , said Joe Duffy earlier today, as he previewed this af...
08/05/2025
RT , in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights has reveale...
07/05/2025
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of RT journalist, Fergal O'Brien, as its new Business Correspondent.
In his new role, Fergal will be repor...