Statement by Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish Secretary, on RTÉ barter accounts and spending
Dooley states NUJ members and their colleagues in RTÉ are “shellshocked” at the breakdown of expenditure released by the RTÉ Executive Board to Oireachtas Committees this morning.
In a statement, he said:
“The trade unions at RTÉ have given RTÉ the time and space to provide information. It is impossible to respond to each new revelation but this morning’s figures have caused deep upset and unprecedented levels of anger. Our members are shellshocked.
“From extravagant entertainment to a failed commercial venture and bizarre spending on summer flip flops, these figures suggest a cavalier approach to the spending of public money and no amount of corporate speak can justify what has happened.
“The NUJ notes with particular concern the personal letter issued to Ryan Tubridy by then Director General, Dee Forbes, confirming that his salary would not be subject to cuts. This letter was issued six months after the unilateral suspension of increments and a few months before the imposition of pay cuts. The Director General opposed the filling of editorial posts, including temporary posts aimed at providing cover in the RTÉ newsroom during the Covid 19 pandemic.
“The NUJ will join with other unions in seeking a meeting with the new Director General Kevin Bakhurst when he takes up duty to discuss how he proposes to address issues of staff morale which have now reached rock bottom.”