Incoming RTÉ boss was aware of barter account while serving as deputy DG
Bakhurst Ining Director Kevin Rté General
The incoming director general of RTÉ says he will begin the process of reconstituting the executive board at the embattled broadcaster when he starts on Monday.
Kevin Bakhurst met with Media Minister Catherine Martin on Thursday as the Government sought assurances from RTÉ on how it will deal with the ongoing controversy surrounding secret payments to former host Ryan Tubridy.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Bakhurst said that he believed a substantial amount of trust had been lost in the state broadcaster over the controversy, which has raged for two weeks.
Mr Bakhurst said he apologised for the loss of trust in RTÉ and that it was his job now to rebuild that trust.
He said he knew about the existence of a barter account at RTÉ while he was deputy director general at the station.
"The trust has been severely diminished. It's been a highly damaging few weeks for RTÉ. It's been painful to watch."
However, Mr Bakhurst urged the public to look at the overall output of RTÉ when it comes to deciding on payment of the TV licence. He said that the station's current affairs and news teams have been "excellent" throughout the controversy.
He added that he will be outlining his full plan to individuals from next week. He said that there will be "different timescales" for his plans. He said there was "no doubt" his job has changed since his appointment.
On the controversy surrounding a staff member who had had a gifted car and returned this week, he said that he was not able to discuss the matter.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Martin said that she had made clear to Mr Bakhurst that the way information has come out is not acceptable.
"I made clear that I am not satisfied with the way in which information has been provided to the RTÉ Board, to the public and to the Oireachtas.
"The drip feed of information over the past two weeks has been another blow to RTÉ and has caused untold harm.
"It was a constructive meeting with a full and frank exchange of views.
"I expressed my concerns about staff morale at RTÉ and the damage that has been done to the relationship between RTÉ and the Oireachtas. I emphasised to the incoming director general that it is now critical that he works, from day one on Monday, to change the tone and culture between the executive and the board and staff."
Ms Martin rejected the idea, however, that she had not moved quickly enough.
“This is an issue of such magnitude that I do believe that speed would be the enemy of the good. But I took the time to be cautious in the last two weeks, and put in place unprecedented measures,” she said.
"What I’m saying is we must remember the good of public service broadcasting, and we must remember the staff when people are making these decisions."