LIVE: Martin says she hoped indication that ex-RTÉ chair might resign was ‘a rash comment’

Media Minister Catherine Martin

MEDIA MINISTER CATHERINE Martin has told the Oireachtas Media Committee that former chair of the RTÉ board Siún Ní Raghallaigh had “indicated she might resign” if she received a letter ahead of the Minister’s Prime Time interview last Thursday.

Martin is halfway through a three-hour session of questions from TDs and Senators this evening over the resignation of the former chair last week.

She said she hoped Ní Raghallaigh’s indication was “a rash comment”, adding: “It was so astounding.”

In her opening statement, Martin said that the events of last week were “not the first time” Ní Raghallaigh “failed to give a clear account of her and the Board’s work at RTÉ”.

The latest ongoing RTÉ controversy focuses on the broadcaster’s handing of exit packages for executives who have left the organisation.

Opposition TDs have called into question the minister’s handling of the situation, with some calling for her to resign. But a number of Government ministers have backed her, suggesting that her position is safe.

In her opening statement this evening, Martin:

Said she was determined that this government would bring a new funding model to RTÉ, but that this could only be completed once reviews into the broadcaster’s governance were completed, which she expects will be in March
• Addressed the criticism she received for her Prime Time appearance last week, saying she went through with it because she thought it would be a good opportunity to share the updated legal advice regarding confidentiality clauses in the controversial exit payments
• Expressed her regret for not meeting with Ní Raghallaigh before her television interview, after the chair had given her “considerable cause for concern” after her failure to recollect parts of her involvement in the packages

To view this liveblog please click here