Delay in making RTÉ payment scandal public causing 'tensions' in Department

PAC chairman Brian Stanley said that an appearence by department officials at a public accounts committee 'ended around 2.30pm, at exactly the same time as RTÉ staff were starting to be briefed on this'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (TCAGSM) has said “it would have been inappropriate” to raise the issue of Ryan Tubridy’s previously undisclosed payments by RTÉ at an appearance by department officials at a public accounts committee hearing on Thursday.

PAC chairman Brian Stanley has questioned the “choreography” of the announcement by RTÉ to staff. This announcement took place at the same time as a PAC hearing which included discussions with department officials around matters concerning the State broadcaster.