June 26th 2023.
Dee Forbes, the director-general of RTE who was suspended from her position, has announced her resignation from the Irish national broadcaster. Ms. Forbes said that she was "ultimately responsible" for the controversy that arose around the payments made to TV presenter Ryan Tubridy outside of his salary.
Last week, she was suspended from her role, having already been due to step down from her position next month. It emerged that Mr. Tubridy had been paid several hundred thousand euros more than previously declared in addition to his usual salary throughout a period between 2017 and 2022, with the total amount reaching €345,000.
In a statement released on Monday morning, Ms. Forbes stated that she had "engaged with and consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Ryan Tubridy." She went on to say that, "As Director General, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation and I take that responsibility seriously. I am tendering my resignation to RTE with immediate effect."
Ms. Forbes expressed her apologies for her part in the scandal and her deep care for the people who work for RTE, the public it serves, and its mission and values. She said that she would "continue to do so" even after a new director general is hired.
Addressing her connection to Mr. Tubridy, Ms. Forbes outlined that she led the discussions with the TV host's agent along with with other senior executives at the broadcaster. They were attempting to negotiate a new contract with Mr. Tubridy as a "valued presenter," with the agreed 15% cost cutting target in mind.
The firm was also trying to make a "cost saving for RTE in respect of a contractual payment which was due to be paid." An agreement was reached which "delivered cost savings for RTE," with a commercial partner taking on a commercial relationship directly with Mr. Tubridy for €75k in exchange for the provision of three events annually.
Mr. Tubridy previously said that he couldn't "shed light" on the root of the overpayments. With Ms. Forbes' resignation, the Irish national broadcaster is now searching for a new Director General.
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