Dee Forbes banging the RTE TV licence drum again 60m uncollected fee *poll not working - pl ignore*

Floppybits

Is Dee Forbes still to sick to answer questions? Can the government not send their own dr to check on her like companies can ask employees to go to the company Dr? She should never have been allowed to resign

jippo nolan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224366#Comment_122224366

if she’s claiming “Illness benefits” the social welfare can call you in for investigation!

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122231891#Comment_122231891

Not a chance in hell!

Viscount Aggro

It will all be sorted soon. A new funding media charge, collection enforced by Revenue.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224366#Comment_122224366

Unfortunately she can keep giving the 2 fingers as they’ve no powers to get her to appear. She won’t give the tds their 2 minutes of grand standing to make them look good. Unless it’s a court case she’ll be awol

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224366#Comment_122224366

She is not an employee though she is gone she resigned. She can not be forced.

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218652#Comment_122218652

Unfortunately I don't see what she can be got on and as she is now left them

martingriff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218874#Comment_122218874

Can you name 2

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122218957#Comment_122218957

Even if they wanted to sell 2fm they would need permission to sell the service. Last time I check they hadn't asked to close any of their Digital Stations.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122234680#Comment_122234680

Is that the end of it, we can then all complain about how shite RTÉ is even with a new method of collection!

BTW through the grapevine Dee Forbes may actually be very ill and is currently getting treatment abroad, it is not a mental health issue. However I have no verifiable information on this.

skimpydoo

Licence fee is to be scrapped and replaced with cheaper media charge.The deets are on my second post below.

skimpydoo

Here

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/tv-licence-fee-scrapped-replaced-29312559

fplfan12345

Any Irish citizen that pays a cent towards a government mouthpiece is nothing but a Moron.

Pa ElGrande

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122236198#Comment_122236198

Standard marketing tactic to get people on new contract, €10 per month for first 12 months, then €15 after (€180 per year), except you can't switch to the competition, and they capture a new subscriber base . . . See Future of media 2022 commission report. The Irish government is increasingly pushing to regulating the internet, they are are heading that direction irrespective of RTEs financial status, RTE are probably looking to tag along and ride us. Meanwhile, https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/60-people-a-day-now-facing-prosecution-for-not-paying-tv-licence-as-rate-soars-in-wake-of-rte-payments-scandal/a1947876170.html

This is all about timing, their only window is as part of the budget, usual tactic is introduce the change with a 5 year delay and let the next administration deal with the fallout.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122237066#Comment_122237066

IMO this what it sounds like.

Household charge of €150 but €25 going to indos for Public Service Broadcasting and €25 to sound and vision fund, with €100 going to RTÉ.

That's 180m to RTÉ, plus another 40m subvention. 220m.

Indos will be for journalism

while RTÉ will still get to compete for S&V non-jornalism/current affairs programming.

Baba Yaga

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122235334#Comment_122235334

if rte get rid of some more of the "talent" they might be slightly less shyte…

poor dee,hope its something serious like the fleas of a thousand camels have infested her arse!

Brendan Bendar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122240967#Comment_122240967

uhmmmm…. Those fookhers would do damage even on a leathery offering such as Dee.

RoTelly

Same aul same aul

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/06/11/rte-chair-to-tell-politicians-future-funding-should-be-sufficient-predictable-and-independent/

He will list challenges and opportunities for RTÉ including how “technological advances, changing consumer behaviour and social needs challenge all media to develop new business models and new ways to engage with audiences, or risk losing them.”

Mr O’Rourke will also say “The media system faces long-term economic challenges, including a decisive shift in advertising revenues away from media towards the technology firms that dominate the digital advertising market, compounded in the case of RTÉ, by the increasing unsustainability of TV Licence fees as a source of public funding.”

Moya's Debut at the Oireachtas as Chair in 2015 (9 years ago) : -

Just as new digital technology is changing audience habits, so too is it challenging the business models and strategies of traditional media companies.

I am conscious that, regarding news in particular, changing technology is having the greatest impact of all. While television bulletins continue to retain large audiences, particularly in the evening, people are increasingly getting their news on mobile devices from digital news services.

Public funding and commercial income in the cultural sector has fallen substantially over the past five years. RTE's funding position, and subsequent capacity to invest in the broader creative sector, has been hugely diminished.

RTE has the capacity to be a key engine for growth in the Irish creative sector. To achieve this potential RTE needs much more certainty on its funding, public funding in particular. 

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/joint_committee_on_transport_and_communications/2015-01-28/2/?highlight%5B0%5D=moya&highlight%5B1%5D=doherty

JP Liz V1

So another big sign off exit package

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/rte-may-sign-off-on-exit-package-of-400000-for-senior-staff-member-says-new-chair/a2054951512.html

Brendan Bendar

Jimbo must be gone…..

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122251859#Comment_122251859

there’s other important things happening, so to speak

saabsaab

Taken from a Hot Press interview of Dermot Morgan in 1994. he wasn't happy with them..

'RTE management view of comedy is what brought us Extra Extra and
Gortnaclune. So, don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining! And
the invidious aspect of Newshounds is that RTE put out all these
different reasons why it wasn’t funny and said that’s why they dropped
it. But my reading of it – which has helped me work up my vitriol for
the present government – is that their arrival coincided exactly with
the time Newshounds was cancelled and negotiations for another series of
Scrap Saturday fell apart. And the big lie RTE have put out is that
negotiations for Scrap Saturday fell apart over money. It’s said we were
‘greedy’ – but on a logical basis, anyone can see we wouldn’t be stupid
enough to lose our profit leader, Scrap Saturday.

How much were you asking for? A 20% increase. Yet, having said that, I’m not prepared to say what
we were on, for the show. But this time round we never got as far as
negotiating money. To begin with RTE were very enthusiastic about the
return of Scrap Saturday and had even given us our slot in the
schedules. In the middle of all that, Newshounds went down and I wrote a
satirical piece about RTE and like that (snaps finger) Scrap Saturday
negotiations were off.

But in that piece you wrote, Comedy at RTE: A Very Short
Story, you did have civil servants saying “public service broadcasting
is not about having the country laughing up their sleeves about people
in authority.” Do you really think RTE is that worried about upsetting
politicians and is, now, by extension, in the pocket of the government?'

Clo-Clo

With the recent glut of jumping ship after the good days are over, 2FM should now be shut down

In another desperate attempt to validate Lottie hundreds of thousands of wages over the year they have stuffed her into a slot which has been a disaster based on all reports so far, like every other slot Lottie has taken on in 2FM

It should have died years ago but now finally they should put it to bed

arctictree

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122251696#Comment_122251696

Can someone please remind me why the need for an 'exit package'? If they are being let go, then just pay redundancy.

Baba Yaga

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122251696#Comment_122251696

said it a few times before,nothing has changed in rte nor will it change,its almost like they're saying "we've got our money and we'll pish it away as fast as we can because we're worth it" €400.000..?? for what..?exit package…? ffs ask me bollix…

NIMAN

We will be told there's nothing that can be done about it, its in their contract.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122252019#Comment_122252019

which are ?

RoTelly

RTÉ won't change, it can't change, it will not change, there is no change …. expect for a few hundred thou for incompetence.

It was going so well for the new chair of the board. He'd been welcomed to the chamber, to a small number of members (no SF, no Labour, no SDs), I think one Labour person asked about access to services but this was largely answered by "we'll let you know" (she arrive to ask, she left when she wasn't answered).

One of the TDs said it must be great to see so few people. the public stand had one on looker (who will remain anon) a person involved in access for disabled people, an RnaG reporter and 2 interns, far from the gaggle of journalist, and few photographers out waiting for them to exit.

He then preceded to do as his predecessor did and ask for more funding, nothing new, nothing original.

The members open with their usual "RTÉ NEWS is fantastic, wasn't the election coverage great!" and softballs "did you ever think you shouldn't take the job?"

Mattie McGrath rambled and actually was kind of saying something, something that irritated the Chair, he was fuming, he is very like his DG. He defended RTÉ to the hilt, no falling on your sword. Mattie had made a mistake in his figures and RTÉ really lambasted him for suggesting €50m. Behind it all they were say you "Thick Ignorant culchie you don't understand". He He asked how is it that RTÉ aren't being prosecuted for the problems with staffing and contractors and that any small business would be up in court.

KPMG alumni was confused, tax law is so confusing, it happens in every company. The legislation is confusing. He even attacked the government and legislators for making it so confusing. KPMG and accountants find tax law as confusing as the next person. FFS.

On the large payments to executives again he blames legislation, it is so hard to get fired from your position in any company, much like Kevin Bee, just look at other semi-state bodies and their exit payments (as if they are the gold standard). No questions about if the people fired were fired due to "Gross misconduct" which would entitle them to nothing.

Of course we know "Gross misconduct" might be run through the WRC… let them? do any of the former executives really want a long drawn out show down in the WRC showing their failures potential receiving nothing? You'd think the many reports that Mr. O'Rourke placed in front of him would allude someway to the mismanagement of the company, surely the lawyers and HR staff could point to those rather than the get out of jail card "we really don't understand HR law, better just to pay them off in the long run".

After Mattie, the more clean cut politicians got to work. Nothing really landed (a few questions about how often people meet and are they getting too much information) until questions about exit payments. Oh! **** now we have a headline, and who might be in line to get this payment? again back to the same old line "We really can't say", and one final question "is it someone who hasn't appeared before us?" …. well "I've said too much".

What we have from RTÉ is simply "Governance good and our service fantastic, content super".

They want no criticism, they will not countenance being criticise by anyone. Simply put all criticism of RTÉ is "Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit" and that is the view from the leadership and the board.

Now away with ye and be happy we have such a fantastic public service broadcaster…. now if only we could get the BBC Player!

Baba Yaga

RoTelly you put it far better then i could,that id say is exactly how they think in rte

RoTelly

Also the one thing that really got me was the use of the TLA, ILT. I was trying to figure that one out, I mean they said it a few times as if we'd all knew what they were talking about. I will let yet guess, took me a minute, then I realised how up their own holes they really are.

RunningFlyer

Could it be that this unnamed person eligible for this exit package may be Forbes?? Heard on radio that the Minister has been aware of this potential payout for past few months…

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122253903#Comment_122253903

Forbes had left the organisation.

She was due to step down and was finishing with her holidays, she'd had a going away part.

Board attempted to fire her but then suspended her and then she resigned which the board accepted.

It's most likely to be Jimbo Lemmings

Jimbo went out sick (he had an operation at one point afaik, but never returned to work).

Last Oireachtas committee Kevin Bakhurst said he was still being paid while on sick leave (question there tbh) and he reiterated that Jimbo wouldn't be returning to the Leadership team or as Director of Content on his return.

BTW a good journalist would look through past emails can dig out Jimbo work mobile and see who answers, I am guessing it won't be answered.

Cluedo Monopoly

What is Catherine Martin doing about RTE? Does anyone know? Does Harris know? I feel they will stay silent on RTE and license fees until the election in October.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122254034#Comment_122254034

Nothing the view is : -

1. If only RTÉ had a better method of funding

DenMan

When is the Dail entering its summer recess does anybody know?

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122255418#Comment_122255418

12 of July 2024

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122255418#Comment_122255418

When does RTE go into recess?

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122253163#Comment_122253163

I'd like to see the Ts and C's of that contract. If it is one of the people who are currently on sick leave you'd wonder what the terms of the sick leave are. Are they getting statutory sick pay or have they a specific sick leave benefit in RTE? If so have they used that up no and are they on statutory?

In relation to the mooted 400k package, there would have to be serious questions around the Ts and C's associated with it and whether the position is being made redundant.

As far as I can see there's absolutely NO efforts been made to clean up the situation there, if anything the attitude has gotten worse

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256092#Comment_122256092

If it is Jimbo it is been split in two Content Video and Content Audio

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256059#Comment_122256059

Hopefully soon, but I am not sure they are aware of it :)

But on RTÉ's usual recess, Today went off the air last week, and from what I can see the Two drive time presenters are an the alternate presenting roles for the summer. I expect that RTÉ NEWS will break early in July, Fair City's new holiday is starting in July also.

Brendan Bendar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256181#Comment_122256181

Thank the Lord for that RTee

I mean wasn’t the ‘funniest man on air’ trying to get McInerney to sing on air today.

They don’t come much stupider than that , one would suggest ?

Karppi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256263#Comment_122256263

Ah, Sarah McInerney is one of the better ones on RTE. I bet she's a great singer, too.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256402#Comment_122256402

That's fine but why do they need two presenters ? and why do the alternate during the summer months?

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256059#Comment_122256059

When we get the best of the Today show on RTE 1.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256451#Comment_122256451

Due to cuts the best of Today will now be merged with Pat Short on the Telly

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256651#Comment_122256651

Is that a repeat?

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122254025#Comment_122254025

What's the story there - has he been genuinely seriously sick and quite unable to help the various committees? Poor man must be very ill indeed?

Catherine Martin - what a waste of a ministry. Utterly ineffective at everything except handing out the few bob to her artiste community.

Karppi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122256415#Comment_122256415

Frankly, they don’t. And I’ve no idea why they alternate in summer. It’s unnecessary, of course.

padd b1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122254034#Comment_122254034

Last I hear, she had commissioned a report about a report.

Floppybits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122254034#Comment_122254034

She is just biding her time till the election is called and then she will hand over the whole sh1tshow to someone else, who will then do the same and things will just carry on normal.

RoTelly

Memo to staff from Kevin Bee: -

Finally, you may have noticed some coverage of yesterday's Joint Oireachtas Committee hearing which was attended by the Chair of the Board of RTÉ, Terence O'Rourke along with Company Secretary, Robert Shortt, Board member, Aideen Howard and RTÉ's HR Director, Eimear Cusack. While we are not in a position to provide additional comment while the process referred to yesterday by the Chair has not concluded, I can say that any settlement payments agreed by RTÉ will be in line with RTÉ's legal obligations, individual employment rights and in line with Comptroller and Auditor General Guidelines. I will provide more context at the next DG Town Hall in the coming weeks.

I foresee Kevin Bee and Terence O'Rourke exiting the company within the next 2 years. I don't think they have a grasp of the situation. The apology from TOR means little.

Posted on twitter/X by @ williamhboney1 (Martin McMahon)