Sir, – When I returned from living abroad, I was surprised to find that RTÉ was still populated in the main by presenters who had been there when I had left 20 years earlier. This was a clear consequence of far too much of the RTÉ budget being spent on inflated salaries for “lifers” in a non-existent “free market” that curtailed the development of new broadcasters.
Stagnation and a culture of entitlement in the top echelons is not a good look for our national broadcaster.
Perhaps the current crisis is exactly what is needed for a complete overhaul of a dysfunctional organisation. – Yours, etc,
AILBHE MURRAY,
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Cabinteely.
Sir, – As a former employee of FÁS, my sympathies lie with the employees of RTÉ, who now find themselves working for an organisation whose reputation has been trashed by the behaviour of a few people at the top.
Similarly, the board is being held responsible for not governing properly, even though it is very difficult to do so if information is being kept from them by senior executives.
One solution would be for boards to insist on changing external auditors every couple of years.
This would lessen the possibility of too close a relationship with the executive and make it more likely that “unusual” items in the accounts would be spotted. – Yours, etc,
MARK CROWTHER,
Marino,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – I refer to Fr Tom Grufferty’s letter (Letters, July 1st) and his recommendation that people should refuse to pay the TV licence (which is a crime). People have gone to prison for this offence.
Did he recommend to people to stop paying their dues to the church in light of the outrageous cover-up of the many scandals in the Catholic Church?
These scandals are far, far more serious than the RTÉ scandal. – Mise le meas,
COLM OFATHARTA,
Rath Garbh.
Sir, – Miriam Lord’s column (“RTÉ team thrashed – and a rematch still to come”, News, June 30th) depicted the polycrisis steadily enveloping RTÉ using sports metaphors.
I have to commend her, as I often have in my head while reading her work, for hitting the nail on the head. Irish politics is covered, and conducted, like a sport: endless coverage of each team/party’s prospects in the next match, and a laser focus on personalities.
This is to the benefit of a political system made up of people who do not take the problems the country faces, particularly the impending collapse of the global environment, seriously.
This week, Leo Varadkar decries potential unlawful conduct at RTÉ. At the same time, his Government shrugs when confronted with the fact that their indifference towards reducing carbon emissions will certainly lead to them breaking their own laws in a few years’ time.
Like a student behind on their homework, the Coalition promises to do the hard work later – a political synonym for never. It isn’t as though it matters, after all. It’s only politics. – Is mise,
DESMOND MOLLOY,
Graz,
Austria.
Sir, – We Irish have always been noted for our ability to have stimulating conversations and for having the gift of the gab. However, it is only in recent days that we discovered that this is a “talent” from which one can derive a substantial seven-figure salary. – Yours, etc,
JOHN SHORTEN,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – So let’s get this bit straight. To punish Ryan Tubridy for getting paid too much money on the sly by his ex-boss, his employer then punishes him by paying him what they think is the correct rate and telling him to not come into work at all. Did I leave anything out? –
Yours, etc,
DAVID WALSH,
Athboy.
Sir, – This is even better than the Roy Keane saga and is likely to run for a lot longer – and I’m of an age not to need a TV licence to view it all. Yippee.– Yours, etc,
GEORGE HOWARD,
Piercestown,
Wexford.
Sir, – After this week’s Dáil committee appearances it may be a little clearer as to what was done in relation to payments to Ryan Tubridy. What is not clear, however, is why this was done. – Yours, etc,
DAVE O’SULLIVAN,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – The budgetary behaviour of the RTÉ hierarchy recalls the Italian proverb: public money is like holy water; everyone dips their fingers in.
No more holier-than-thou sermons from Montrose, please. – Yours, etc,
Fr JOHN DOHERTY,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.