Dee Forbes still 'not fit or able' to be investigated over RTÉ

Media committee chair Niamh Smyth said it was disappointing' they would not be able to engage with Ms Forbes, considering her role as a former director general of RTÉ. File picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Former RTÉ director general Dee Forbes is “unfit” to engage with the Oireachtas media committee, her solicitors have said.

In a letter sent to the media committee, her solicitors confirmed Ms Forbes was not in a position to work with the committee due to remaining under active medical care.

Late last month, the committee wrote to Ms Forbes looking for her to give evidence, either through written submissions or via videolink.

However, her solicitors said they engaged with Ms Forbes and had been instructed to decline any invite.

“We confirm that on foot of your letter we have sought instructions from our client and we are instructed that our client is not fit or able to undertake or be involved in any processes,” her solicitor said.

“We are instructed that our client is unfit to be involved in any process even with the offer of video links/breaks/written evidence etc and that our client remains under active medical care.”

The solicitors add while they had previously provided information confirming Ms Forbes' medical position, they were willing to provide further information on a “confidential basis”.

Committee chair Niamh Smyth said it was “disappointing” they would not be able to engage with Ms Forbes, considering her role as a former director general of RTÉ.

Ms Smyth said while the committee was unable to hear from Ms Forbes, they would be “drawing a line in the sand” after the expert reports into RTÉ’s culture and governance are completed and published.

These reports are expected to be completed by the end of the month, following a delay.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) completed its report on RTÉ earlier this week, with a recommendation the broadcaster be brought under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General.