RTÉ board: Siún Ní Raghallaigh 'felt she had no option but to resign'

In a fresh statement, board directors expressed 'great disappointment and regret' that Ms Ní Raghallaigh was placed in such a position

Siún Ní Raghallaigh was described as a person of the 'utmost integrity'. Picture: Eamonn Farrell

The RTÉ board has said its former chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh was placed in a position whereby “she felt that she had no option but to resign”. 

In a fresh statement, the independent directors of the RTÉ board said they wanted to express their “great disappointment and regret” that Ms Ní Raghallaigh was placed in such a position. 

They have also called for a meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin at the earliest opportunity.

The RTÉ board has called for a meeting with Catherine Martin. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Ms Martin said the former RTÉ chair “misinformed” her over details about the approval of exit packages for a former senior RTÉ executive.

In a pointed statement from the board, it said Ms Ní Raghallaigh is a person of “the utmost integrity”.

We thank Siún for her dedication, decency, diligence, and above all for her unswerving commitment to RTÉ and to the future of public service media in Ireland.

“She was a reforming and energetic chair, who brought very significant and important expertise and experience to the role, working with her fellow board members, the director general and members of the RTÉ leadership team in driving much-needed governance reform and seeking to forge a more secure future for the organisation,” the statement read.

The board met today to discuss its response to the events of the last 24 hours.

Despite speculation that the whole board could resign, it said the board is committed to “continuing to discharge its duties".

The statement read: “In particular, the board believes it has a duty to ensure stability and to continue to support the work of the director general and the leadership team in progressing the ambitious and necessary reform agenda that is critical to the future of this organisation, as well as supporting the dedicated staff across RTÉ who continue to work day-in and day-out in the delivery of public service media to the people of Ireland.

The independence of RTÉ is a priority for the board, and that is also a factor in their commitment to the organisation, and to the imperative of public service broadcasting.

“The board is working with the Government-appointed external advisory committees and awaits their recommendations, which will build upon the significant changes that have already taken place.

“A secure funding model for RTÉ and public service media must remain our shared collective objective.

“The board has requested a meeting with the minister at the earliest opportunity. This is the unanimous view of the Board,” the statement added.