RTÉ executives spent thousands on dining out at some of the country's leading restaurants

RTE's former commercial director Geraldine O’Leary spent €74,322 over four years on expenses she has said were “approved in advance”. Picture: Sam Boal

Among the €175,000 RTÉ executives put on corporate credit cards in the space of five years were the bills for dining out in some of Ireland’s top restaurants.

According to freedom of information records, money was also spent on flowers, hotels, bars, air fares and car hire during a period in which the cash-strapped national broadcaster was asking the State for more money to help it operate.