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Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Gareth O'Callaghan: It's been two years since Tubridy was thrown to the lions. Is it time for RTÉ to ask him back?
'Until someone is prepared to lay out the systemic problem, we will simply go through cycles of finding corruption, finding a scapegoat, eliminating the scapegoat, and relaxing until we find the next scandal.' I'm not a fan of American politician Newt Gingrich; but as I read these words of his, I'm reminded of where I was this week two years ago when Ryan Tubridy's stellar career as Ireland's leading broadcaster started to come apart in what was a bolt out of the blue. Barely a month before, a day ahead of his final Late Late Show, he told fans: 'Tomorrow night is going to be a night of endings for sure, but beginnings for definite.' In hindsight, some might have called his words prophetic, others foreboding; but it seems certain he knew nothing about what was careering down the tracks. It would take a long hot summer before RTÉ's director general Kevin Bakhurst finally announced on August 18 that Tubridy would not be returning to his radio show, after a two-month controversy that became the most damaging crisis the broadcaster has ever faced in its almost 100-year history. It was an inglorious sacking, painfully drawn out, and made worse the previous month by the performances of some politicians on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with their humiliation of Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly during live Oireachtas TV sessions, the first of which had more than nine million minutes of online viewing. No doubt it's a date that's etched forever in his memory, the day his career slipped from his grip and his life changed — Tuesday, July 11, 2023, when he was thrown to the lions in Leinster House, a place that's not always known for its moral compass. For the first time in its history, this online streaming channel, which most viewers to the event had never heard of, had bigger audiences than the annual Toy Show. Pubs across the country showed the televised meetings on their big screens, while clips from earlier sessions were viewed millions of times on TikTok. 'This is my first rodeo being in the public eye,' Tubridy told PAC that day. 'My name has been desperately sullied, I think my reputation has been sullied.' Strong words not used lightly, which led this writer to suspect he was being scapegoated as a result of a gargantuan cover-up — one that, it turned out, had been simmering for years. No doubt Tuesday, July 11, 2023, is a date that's etched forever in Ryan Tubridy's memory, the day his career slipped from his grip and his life changed. File photo: Oireachtas TV In the words of American diplomat Madeleine Albright, 'the cover-up, more than the initial wrongdoing, is what is most likely to bring you down.' And it did, royally. It was a scandal waiting to happen, and it was allowed to happen, not just by successive RTÉ managements, but by governments who ignored the warning signs for years. Looking back at the cast of characters who testified at the hearings, the only one thrown under the bus was Tubridy. That tells its own story. It wasn't until Grant Thornton's report was published in August two years ago that the facts became clear amidst all the convoluted evidence divulged by both sides. But by then, one man's reputation had been badly harmed. It found that RTÉ had intentionally understated Tubridy's annual salary by €120,000 across the three years from 2017-2019 by driving down payments made to him to under €500,000. In total, Tubridy was overpaid by €345,000. This conclusion cleared him of blame, which appeared at one point to be piled high and deep against him. RTÉ essentially disregarded its own payroll system so as to undervalue Tubridy's salary. Payroll software at the broadcaster clearly showed he was paid more than the €500,000 over each of the three years. According to the report, Tubridy was also entitled to a €120,000 bonus, which he chose to waive. Hindsight can be merciless. What remains foremost in public memory two years later is the side deal with Renault, which RTÉ footed the bill for. Pubs across the country showed the televised meetings on their big screens from Oireachtas TV of RTE's star presenter Ryan Tubridy. File photo: Oireachtas TV In 2020, Tubridy was paid by RTÉ in a sponsorship deal brokered by him, his agent and the broadcaster worth €225,000, in return for taking part in three corporate events for the car dealer, of which only one took place. He hasn't repaid the outstanding €150,000. Last weekend, media minister Patrick O'Donovan encouraged Tubridy to hand back the money, 'so we can move on from it,' he said. Ryan Tubridy has clearly moved on from it. He now lives in London, recently got engaged, and carving out a career for himself in radio, having been left with little choice but to leave the country, censured as the poster boy of a scandal he didn't cause. He became the fall guy as accountancy practices that had been going on for years in RTÉ finally became public. Was there any need for the public humiliation and the verbal flogging that Ryan Tubridy was subjected to two years ago? Did it serve any purpose, apart from dividing a national audience? If anything, it laid bare the banjaxed business model of RTÉ. The station posted a €9.1million loss in 2023 when its licence revenue took a massive hit as a result of the scandal, which it likely will never recover from. Its business model has never worked, so how can it hope to be self-sufficient? Government handouts are RTÉ's only hope of surviving, but for how long more? I suspect Kevin Bakhurst is keeping a close eye on the BBC, whose charter comes up for renewal in two years; when the network will have to prove its fitness in negotiations in order to take on the next 10 years of public service broadcasting. RTÉ has always fancied itself as a BBC-type replica with the additional benefit of commercial revenue income. BBC's charter comprises a trio of core objectives: the pursuit of truth with no agenda, an emphasis on its native culture and storytelling, and a mission to bring people together – not unlike RTÉ. But has RTÉ not failed in two of these objectives in the light of what happened two years ago? RTÉ has a serious public service broadcasting remit, which is becoming more and more difficult to commit to in the modern climate of content-rich competitors with very deep pockets. In television land, new content is king. Repeating old programmes in order to fill a television schedule is one sure way to drive away viewers. It's difficult not to feel a sense of fatalism about RTÉ's future. Its treatment of a presenter who is still loved the length and breadth of Ireland, along with its handling of the payment scandal, was a devastating error of judgement. RTÉ's director general said there was a 'moral' case for Tubridy to return the money. Considering the scandal was of their own making, with disclosures of indefensible accounting and governance practices, and a propensity for decades of lavish corporate hospitality, RTÉ should be careful about highlighting what they regard as other people's morals. Ryan Tubridy at the official launch of Joe Duffy's autobiography 'Just Joe' in Dublin in 2011. File photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Grant Thornton's report absolved Ryan Tubridy of any blame. Whether he should return the remainder of the private sponsorship fee he received is a matter for him to decide. Unfortunately, the role that one individual found himself unwittingly cast into as the controversy unfolded two years ago, and how that role was sensationalised to the point where he was unjustly made out to be the villain, continues to overshadow the reality of a much greater scandal in which many of those responsible will never be punished. Two years on, the least RTÉ could do is offer Ryan Tubridy his job back. Maybe then, in the minister's own words, we can move on from it. Read More Gareth O'Callaghan: Unanswered questions haunt Philip Cairns case decades later
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Joe Duffy not approached about running for Áras an Uachtaráin
Broadcaster Joe Duffy has said that he has not been approached to contest in the next presidential election. Mr Duffy was speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, after his final broadcast of the Liveline programme, which he presented for 27 years. He refused to answer when asked directly whether he was ruling out a presidential bid or not. "I had no idea when I chose today to leave that there would be lots of presidential talk in the air," he said. "I was president of Trinity students union, I still have the posters. I was president of the USI, I still have the posters, but my face has changed a lot, maybe my intellect isn't as strong as it used to be. "There's some great candidates already been mentioned [for the election], and by the way there was some great candidates before who didn't make it and that's the world we live in." He said that his departure from the Liveline programme "hasn't hit me yet", and that he feels similar to his listeners in losing a friend. "It was the listeners who made that programme, I was in the middle, I tried to mediate as best as I can and facilitate, but it was the listeners that rallied 'round and held hands and helped each other," Mr Duffy said. The broadcaster also said that RTÉ's main job was to make programmes. "We have to remind ourselves day after day, content, Irish programmes for Irish audiences, and stay focused on that." "Our job here in RTÉ, and the State through the licence fee help us enormously, our job in RTÉ is to make Irish programmes for Irish people. "And make them as unique and as entertaining and as educational and as political - not party political - as possible," he said.
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Joe Duffy's last Liveline: A rare acerbic shot at the Taoiseach, then the fabled phone-in show goes full end-of-pier
With its controversial subjects, unpredictable callers and – not least – outspoken host, Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) has occasionally resembled an on-air circus during Joe Duffy 's stewardship. But as the broadcaster presents his final edition of the fabled phone-in programme on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere evokes light entertainment of a different kind: a variety show. Though broadcasting in front of a studio audience at Montrose's radio centre, Duffy sounds as if he should be MCing a cabaret night in the Braemor Rooms, circa 1978, as a succession of stand-ups, impressionists and musicians take to the stage to perform skits, impressions and classic songs. 'I recognise a lot of faces from Crimecall,' Duffy jokes, surveying the crowd. The only thing missing is the crash of a cymbal. The proceedings are opened by Camembert Quartet, the comic lounge act – 'back together at very little expense' – who have been a familiar fixture on Liveline's regular Funny Friday specials. It sets the tone for the show. Duffy, who remarks that he wasn't allowed into the studio until a couple of minutes before airtime, is then joined by his RTÉ colleague Brenda Donohue, who ebulliently introduces callers who have highlighted issues on the show in the past, from cuts to grants for breast-cancer survivors to menopause awareness. READ MORE Liveline: Joe Duffy presenting his farewell show in studio 1 at RTÉ Radio Centre. Photograph: Andres Poveda Taoiseach Micheál Martin phones in to thank Duffy for passing on tips when he was a student activist. 'You forgot them quick enough,' the broadcaster shoots back, introducing a rare acerbic note to the occasion. It's only a fleeting bump, however, with Duffy displaying his emotional awareness by remembering his encounters with the Taoiseach's late daughter, Léana. At this point the celebrations go full end-of-pier. The comedian June Rodgers delivers a string of corny one-liners in her guise as Oliver Bond, greeted by chuckles from Duffy and deafening silence from everyone else. This is followed by comic impersonations from Al Foran, Pakie O'Callaghan and – in recorded form – Duffy's fellow Radio 1 presenter Oliver Callan . The latter's gentle mockery of Duffy's on-air delivery is as witty as it is brief, a lesson not learned by all his comic peers. [ 'Dublin city centre is turning into an unadulterated kip': Joe Duffy's Liveline highlights Opens in new window ] The musical contributions are similarly eclectic. The Eurovision winner Paul Harrington performs a song by Leonard Cohen, one of Duffy's favourite musicians (which may help explain the presenter's often lugubrious demeanour). The participation of Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band speaks to Duffy's tireless championing of the emergency services – 'When we're having our worst day, you have to have your best day,' he comments – even if the band's massed drones probably sound more stirring at a street parade than on the radio. By the time Harrington delivers a spirited rendition of Wichita Lineman it's time to go, in every sense. While it was unlikely that Duffy would spend his last day fielding calls from the public, an afternoon of broad comedy and crowd-pleasing songs seems like an oddly prosaic and even bathetic way to bid farewell to a broadcaster famed for revealing the hidden secrets of Irish life. [ 'Love you all, it's been a privilege': Joe Duffy presents last Liveline as he retires from RTÉ Opens in new window ] But then finales are more about marking the occasion than breaking new ground – and Duffy has always been in tune with popular opinion rather than critical approval, whether tackling injustice or laughing his way through Funny Friday. In that sense it's an apposite way to bid goodbye. Talk will now inevitably turn to who will succeed him. Duffy reminds the audience that 'the Liveline will remain open', with Philip Boucher-Hayes assuming presenting duties next week. But in terms of pedigree, Duffy's regular stand-in Katie Hannon would seem to be the obvious candidate as permanent replacement. (Callan jokes to this effect in his skit.) That Hannon is departing her current-affairs TV show, Upfront, will surely cause her odds to shorten further. Equally, however, RTÉ recently advertised an 'expressions of interest' process for presenting jobs on Radio 1, suggests that the station might try to cast its net beyond the Montrose talent pool. [ Micheál Martin: 'You will always say you have the kids you lost' Opens in new window ] As for the man himself, Duffy is vague about his post-Liveline plans. But with a vacancy soon arising in Áras an Uachtaráin, his name has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. Speaking to Áine Lawlor on Morning Ireland earlier, Duffy brushes away the suggestion without quite categorically denying it: 'I will not lose the run of myself.' Even so, it seems fitting that his final show should end with his station colleague Shay Byrne reading out a letter from President Michael D Higgins , who commends Duffy for his empathy and commitment to giving voice to ordinary people. With the show running over time, Duffy himself doesn't get the opportunity for a long goodbye. But for the first time all afternoon, his succinct farewell greeting carries an authentically emotional charge. 'Love you all. It's been a privilege.' And with that the great ringmaster of Irish radio is gone.
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: 'Wild west' of corporal punishment, defence spend and Jeff Bezos wedding
The 'wild west' of corporal punishment in school is something that Paul Cunningham remembers well. RTÉ's Political Correspondent has opened up about his personal experience of the practice on Behind the Story. Remembering a particular incident back in 1978 as a 10-year-old, Paul recalls 47 years later how it stays with him. He reflects on recent changes which give schools guidance on how they should deal with former pupils who come forward and report historic abuse. The policy - Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025 - is an update on its original 2017 document. Katie and Paul also talk through plans for Ireland to partake in a new EU programme SAFE, or Security Action for Europe. The procurement scheme would enable the State to quickly acquire defence systems and help streamline procurement policies across the bloc. What does it mean for Ireland - and what could be in store for Irish troops amid a shifting interntional stage at the United Nations? Also the duo toast the 'wedding to the year' in Venice between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
Irish Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
RTÉ HR manager denies newsroom worker had to ‘misrepresent himself to Revenue' to get shifts with broadcaster
A senior human resources manager at RTÉ has denied at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that it got a media worker to 'misrepresent his employment status' to the taxman to get shifts in its newsroom. The worker, Joseph Kelly, claims he was denied the statutory entitlements to paid leave and Sunday premium pay that would normally accrue to an employee while he was engaged by the broadcaster under a 'freelance' contract between 2012 and 2018. The State broadcaster, however, argues that Mr Kelly was paid all Sunday premiums owed, along with annual leave and public holidays. RTÉ was found liable for a €36,000 bill for the period by the Department of Social Protection after it ruled in 2022 that Mr Kelly had been employed since 2012. READ MORE However, it maintains the ruling only pertains to insurability of employment and that the claims are out of time. Questioned repeatedly about Mr Kelly's status at a hearing on Thursday, a senior human resources manager at RTÉ said: 'We absolutely accept the insurability decision. The reality was that the contract Joseph signed was a sole trader agreement. I can't rewrite history, that's what it was.' The WRC was hearing evidence in complaints brought under the Organisation of Working Time Act 2005 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 by Mr Kelly. Mr Kelly's representative, Martin McMahon, said the Department's Scope ruling showed his client 'should have been treated as an employee' by RTÉ since 2012, and it therefore followed that he had been denied various pay-related statutory rights set out in his complaints. IATA Director General Willie Walsh on airline profits, air fares and why the Dublin Airport passenger cap makes Ireland a laughing stock Listen | 35:56 Mr Kelly claims he was denied the entitlement to paid annual leave, not paid for public holidays, and did not receive a premium for Sunday work from 2012 to 2018. He further alleges he was not provided with a statement of his core terms of employment. Giving evidence on Thursday, Mr Kelly said: 'The way I was brought in was by word of mouth. My name was given to a guy, I was brought in, talked to a manager, it was a casual interview. When I was coming in, HR said I had to be a sole trader, so I became a sole trader,' he said. Mr Kelly said his job at that time in the broadcaster's media ingest department from 2012 to 2018 was to 'cover the guys in the room' – all of whom were RTÉ employees – and to do 'whatever was needed of me'. It was a 'high-pressure role' where Mr Kelly and his co-workers received and organised multimedia material and recorded news feeds from across the world in preparation for news broadcasts, the complainant said. 'I wouldn't have received time off. It's famine or feast – you might have a month where you might get two days; you might have a month where you only get two days off,' Mr Kelly told the hearing. This situation continued from 2012 to 2018, when the ingest room manager 'got a promotion' and an employee 'moved up' into the management position, leaving an open vacancy, whereupon he 'became staff', Mr Kelly said. He told the WRC that due to the fact he was self employed, he 'wasn't allowed' to apply for internal jobs. Having received a staff contract, he later secured a more senior position as a newsroom co-ordinator in 2023, he said. He also said he believed he should have got incremental pay rises and could have advanced to a more senior role more quickly if he had access to internal staff competitions and that he 'should be on a higher rate than I'm on now'. Addressing Mr Kelly's current contract in cross-examination, RTÉ's solicitor, Seamus Given of Arthur Cox, put it to the complainant that he was on point 12 of a 14-point salary scale in his current role, after 11 years' service. 'I'm putting it to you are correctly positioned,' Mr Given said. 'Well, I would say no,' Mr Kelly said. Angela McEvoy, a senior HR manager at RTÉ, gave evidence that in that period Kelly was paid all Sunday premium owed, along with annual leave and public holidays, referring to a payroll report submitted by the broadcaster. Questioning Ms McEvoy, Mr McMahon said: 'Joseph was an employee of RTÉ from 2012 to 2018, that's the legal position, uncontested by RTÉ. Joseph's increments would be different if RTÉ accepted all those years of service, yes or no?' 'No, we're saying not, because Mr Kelly is on point 12 of the salary scale, that is obviously close to the top of the salary scale,' Ms McEvoy said. Asked whether RTÉ informed Mr Kelly that he had been 'misclassified as self-employed' when he was first put on an employment contract in 2018, Ms McEvoy said: 'No, because there was no need to do that. There was no need to inform Mr Kelly of anything like that.' 'Joseph was offered employment in RTÉ, but legally Joseph had been an employee from 2012, do you accept that?' Mr McMahon said. 'No I don't,' Ms McMahon said. 'You've accepted it in Social Welfare, why won't you accept it here?' Mr McMahon asked. 'What RTÉ accepted is a PRSI insurability decision going back to 2012,' the witness said. Mr McMahon continued to press Ms McEvoy on this point for some time and received the same answer. She said at one stage: 'You're saying there's a contract of employment. We absolutely accept an insurability decision. The reality was that the contract Joseph signed was a sole trader agreement. I can't rewrite history, that's what it was,' she said. Addressing the contract for services signed by Mr Kelly in 2012, Mr McMahon put it to her that RTÉ 'has the power in that situation' and that there was 'no negotiation' of its terms. 'I don't accept what you're saying. There is a choice for an individual to sign or not. Nobody is forced to sign,' she said. She agreed that it was a term of the contract that a worker 'had to be registered as self-employed in order to access a self-employment agreement' with RTÉ at that time. Mr McMahon said it was an offence to 'procure an employee to misrepresent themselves to the Revenue Commissioners'. 'In the contract, black and white, [it states] RTÉ has to receive written confirmation from the Revenue Commissioners that Joseph can be treated as self-employed for tax purposes,' Mr McMahon said. 'Do you accept RTÉ did procure Joseph to misrepresent himself to Revenue?' Mr McMahon said. 'Absolutely not,' Ms McEvoy said. Adjudication officer John Harraghy has concluded his hearings into the matter and will issue his decision in writing to the parties in due course.
