Documents detail agreement between Renault and RTÉ to recreate Late Late Show for VIPs

The revelation comes as RTÉ representatives are to face a third grilling from TDs and senators in seven days on Wednesday. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A review of RTÉ's finances has uncovered previously undeclared barter accounts at the broadcaster as well as details of an agreement with Renault which saw the broadcaster agree to foot the bill for VIP events recreating the Late Late Show.

The use of a €1.25m barter account for client hospitality and sports events had seen it dubbed a "slush fund" by politicians.

Ahead of another appearance before the Oireachtas media committee, RTÉ last night released a tranche of documents relating to secret payments to Ryan Tubridy as well as a list of high-earning staff which reveals that the 100-best paid people in the organisation make at least €117,000 a year.

Questioned on the existence of more barter accounts, a spokesperson for RTÉ said last night that the broadcaster would "provide comment and context around these accounts at the joint Oireachtas commitee meeting" which begins at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Interim deputy director general, Adrian Lynch; director of commercial Geraldine O'Leary; chief financial offer, Richard Collins; director of strategy, Rory Coveney; RTÉ board chair, Siún Ní Raghallaigh; journalist board representative, Robert Shortt; and chair of the RTÉ audit and risk committee, Anne O'Leary, are all attending the Oireachtas media committee on Wednesday, along with former CFO Breda O'Keeffe. 

Ms O'Keeffe is seen to have had a central role in the formulation of the contract for Mr Tubridy.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members hit out at RTÉ as a suite of documents which had been requested — around what the €1.25m barter account was used for, salary details of high earners and details of Mr Tubridy's deal — had not been supplied until late Tuesday night.

Details of documents requested by the media committee

Former RTÉ director general Dee Forbes.

The documents show that former RTÉ director general Dee Forbes wrote to Mr Tubridy to not only guarantee his additional pay under a commercial agreement with Renault, but to guarantee that RTÉ would never ask him to take a reduction in fees.

The agreement reached with Renault involved RTÉ footing the bill to recreate a Late Late Show set-up with 100 VIP guests in the audience. The contract also stipulated that the broadcaster would supply finger food and drinks.

The contract stated that requirements involved "three Dealer Events". While three specific dates were provided in 2021 for these events, the document also states that "such dates are approximate".

It added: "Recreate the Late Late Show setup with minimum three guests and including music from up-and-coming talent from each event location."

The document later suggests that panel could include "surprise guests from Renault's brand ambassadors. For example, Aslan, Keywest, Ian Dempsey etc."

It was stated that the evening events would also include a "6pm drinks reception" and would be "Invitation only: exclusive event for each dealership".

'An existential threat to our national broadcaster'

Sinn Féin's media spokesperson Imelda Munster said tonight's revelations were "extremely concerning".

We were promised all information requested by the Oireachtas media committee at last week’s meeting would be forthcoming from RTÉ. That has not happened.

"The situation is now farcical, and this scandal is getting worse with every passing day," she said. 

Labour arts, media and workers’ rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock said there should be "no more drip feed of information from RTÉ".

"I would implore the senior management team to get all their ducks in a row before returning to the Oireachtas this week," she said in a statement.

There is now an existential threat to our national broadcaster, and we cannot allow it to implode on itself.

Senator Sherlock said news of a further one more barter account was "shocking for the public and gut wrenching for workers at RTÉ who have fought with management for additional crews and resources."

"Every day something new is breaking from RTÉ. In order to safeguard its future, we need RTÉ to put absolutely everything on the table tomorrow."