Minister to seek approval to move RTÉ under C&AG remit

Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan is to seek Cabinet approval tomorrow to move RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Broadcasting Amendment Bill will see the C and AG become the auditor of RTÉ's accounts from the broadcaster's 2026 figures onwards, providing the Oireachtas supports the move.

This move was one of a series of recommendations contained in a 2024 Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) report on governance and culture in RTÉ, that was commissioned by then minister Catherine Martin in the wake of the controversies in RTÉ which first started in June 2023.

It is understood that Minister O'Donovan had intended to bring the bill forward this week before the latest pay controversy emerged.

Last week, RTÉ revised its top 10 highest-earning presenters for 2024 to include Derek Mooney after it said it "reconsidered what constitutes a presenter".

Mr O'Donovan will tomorrow afternoon meet the Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst and the chair of the RTÉ board Terence O'Rourke.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday said the minister will want to ensure "there's full clarity and transparency" at RTÉ.

Mr Martin also said it is difficult to comprehend how the latest pay issue at RTÉ transpired.

RTÉ executives are due to appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Media on Wednesday.