Kevin Bakhurst to seek legal advice on disclosing details of executive exit packages

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst is to seek legal advice on disclosing details of individual exit packages.

It comes after he told the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday he could not discuss packages given to Rory Coveney, Director of Strategy, or Richard Collins, Chief Financial Officer.

He made the promise to Media Minister Catherine Martin after she sought a meeting with him due to the bombshell revelations made during the committee meeting.

This included the fact that Mr Coveney received an exit package when he resigned from RTÉ in July and that former Chief Financial Officer Breda O’Keeffe was “paid €450,000 to leave” RTÉ.

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Minister Martin said the pair spoke by phone on Thursday afternoon.

“She emphasised the need for maximum transparency, particularly in respect of exit packages,” the spokeswoman said.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD pictured this afternoon at Government Buildings where she addressed matters pertaining to RTE

“As this concerns public funding, and transparency is in the public interest, she believes this is of paramount importance as we seek to rebuild trust in the national broadcaster and ultimately in public service media.

“He [Mr Bakhurst] has committed to seeking updated legal advice in relation to the disclosure of details of individual exit packages.”

Mr Bakhurst was convinced to reveal Ms O’Keeffe’s redundancy package following questioning from Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.

However, he would not divulge to Fianna Fáil’s Christopher O’Sullivan what sort of deals were struck with Mr Coveney and Mr Collins.

Rory Coveney

“There are legal constraints around some of these individuals,” Mr Bakhurst said.

“There are also data protection [issues].

“I cannot share [how Mr Collins left the organisation]. There are legal reasons for that.

“This will end up with RTÉ with another big legal bill if I say too much here.

“Whatever the privilege is around it, there is only a certain level of protection.”

Minister Martin’s spokesperson also confirmed that the DG “assured the Minister that the severance package paid to the former CFO Breda O’Keeffe, does not need to be reassessed as he is confident that it is the correct amount”.

A spokesman for RTÉ confirmed that Mr Bakhurst is seeking updated legal advice.