Shambolic RTÉ

While we watched in amazement as senators and TDs from both the Committee of Public Accounts and the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht grilled senior RTÉ executives, it is still not clear who did what or why and, ultimately, who will be held responsible for the whole debacle.

The licence fee can only be good value for money if RTÉ provides good and original content and is seen to be managed competently. Let’s hope the new director general, Kevin Bakhurst, is up to the task as RTÉ is now struggling to collect licence fees from disillusioned viewers. Likewise, sponsors and advertisers might take a hard look at their budgets in future and be far more selective in their support of the national broadcaster. RTÉ needs to take action quickly, as advertising and sponsorship budgets for 2024 are traditionally planned in September. While few people want to see the demise of the national station and its public-service remit, clearly a root and branch reform is necessary, which will ultimately mean a trimmed down entity with fewer people being paid more than the Taoiseach and Tánaiste combined.