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.

Restaurants, hotels and bars in the most expensive areas of south Dublin were often frequented.

The €175,000 was also spent at a time in which the broadcaster applied for, and got, numerous grants from bodies including the Arts Council, and the Broadcast Fund.

The person with the highest credit card bills was RTÉ’s former commercial director Geraldine O’Leary.

Ms O’Leary, who stated when she retired last July she had at all times “acted with integrity”, spent €74,322 over four years on expenses she has said were “approved in advance”.

Around €36,800 went on hospitality and hotels, while €871 went on flowers and €705 on baby gifts.

Freedom of Information Act records show that as well as spending over €5,000 on hospitality and hotels and  €1,000 on flowers, former director general Dee Forbes spent €328 on flights for the delayed 2020 European Rugby cup final between La Rochelle and Leinster in Marseille, France in 2022.

She also spent €72 at the Moroccan restaurant, Le Souk and later on in the trip, she spent €56 on quiche after diced raw fish appetisers for two at another eatery.

An RTÉ spokesperson said: "Under the leadership of RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst, and new measures introduced, such as an end to discretionary spend, it has been made clear that expenses need to be very carefully managed in all areas of the organisation.

"Expenditure on items or events which are business-critical will be approved.

"Such expenditure is being closely monitored by our managers and by our finance teams across RTÉ."

As far as expenses in flowers were concerned, they said: "We believe these were for a combination of flowers purchased for specific occasions, such as funerals and departures from the organisation, and perhaps gifts.

"Please note that it is no longer possible to include the purchase of gifts, such as flowers, in expenses."

As far as return flights to/from Marseille were concerned, they said: "This was for the European Rugby Cup Final in Marseille to meet with the rights holders who were hosting partner broadcasters at the flagship event."