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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

RTÉ revelations

Summary

Deputy Bacik raised the escalating RTÉ controversy and said the drip-feed of revelations was unsustainable. The Taoiseach replied that a new ministerial statement had not changed the Government’s position.

Half an hour ago during Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach expressed his confidence in the RTÉ executives, but he said that might change the situation changes. Indeed, things are changing at a rapid pace. As Senator Sherlock has said, this constant, ongoing drip-feed of new revelations is unsustainable. Since the statements before this House last night, we have learned about the existence of three barter accounts, we have learned about €2.2 million in losses for the toy show musical and, in the past half hour, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, issued a statement to say that she had spoken to the chair of the board and the chair has informed her that the board have seen their trust and confidence in the executive being eroded and have requested that swift action be taken. The chair is to speak more on this issue before the media committee today. Clearly, things are changing at a rapid pace.

Does this new detail, as outlined by the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, change the view the Taoiseach expressed half an hour ago of expressing confidence in the RTÉ executive? If not, how much longer will the Taoiseach and the Government give them the benefit of the doubt?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

It does not. I spoke with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Tánaiste this morning and I read part of her statement into the record of the House so it does not change the position.

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