Government has legal fears over sacking RTÉ executive board

The PAC chair has said one of the first things incoming director general Kevin Bakhurst needs to do is to ask some of the executives involved in the current controversy to step aside

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said condemning RTÉ's entire executive board would be unfair and 'would potentially leave the State open to compensation claims under constructive dismissal'. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Sacking RTÉ’s executive board could leave the State open to legal battles and significant payouts, senior Government sources have said.

With pressure mounting for heads to roll, the Government is fearful that direct intervention now could backfire ahead of the conclusion of three independent reviews into the hidden payments scandal at the broadcaster.