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

oh I’m aware of their many different employment tax related shall we say “issues”.

As usual with RTÉ I suspect there’s more to come….

Well, you can add Damien Tiernan to that list. Former South East correspondent also left a number of years back, moaning that he couldn't get airtime for his stories on the main bulletins.

He now is a presenter on WLR in Waterford. The South East correspondent role has long since been filled.

I think these decisions happened under the watch of then Director of News, Jon Williams.

It might be worth it to some journalist to kick over a few rocks from that era for a few more revelations.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/not-squarely-a-redundancy-ciaran-mulloolys-special-exit-deal-from-rte-was-referred-to-revenue/a/154301622.html

the McCann FitzGerald report found RTÉ

“indirect suppression”, whereby the headcount reduction from
his redundancy was covered by another natural exit.

https://about.rte.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/RTE-VEP-Report.pdf

Indirectly suppressed roles
In the case of four departures (Employees G-J: three under the 2017 VEP, and one under the 2021 VEP as referred to at 7.39(a) below), roles were backfilled by internal candidates, with cost savings identified elsewhere in organisation structure (such as through retirements and non-replacement of specified roles). This backfilling took place in circumstances where the relevant roles had been indirectly suppressed in the context of restructuring of their teams. In two instances under the 2017 VEP (including the former Chief Financial Officer 2012-2020, considered in section 8 below), the roles were directly backfilled by an external candidate.
While it was within RTÉ’s power to accept an application for voluntary severance, the
departures do not fall squarely within the statutory definition of redundancy which, in the context of limb (c) quoted at paragraph 6.29 above10 refers specifically to the role of the redundant employee: ‘the work for which the employee had been employed (or had been doing before his dismissal)…’ Accordingly, our view is that Revenue Commissioners may take the view that RTÉ was not entitled to apply the tax exemption applicable to statutory redundancy payments to the VS Redundancy Lump Sums received by employees whose roles were indirectly suppressed, and subsequently backfilled. This will however be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners to determine. The total amount of tax-exempt payments made to this group of former employees was €103,587

they seem to contradict themseles later

7.40 Overall, we were satisfied that applications under the 2021 VEP were considered consistently, and that roles were only approved for exit where they could be suppressed.

Why? Just because one person claims over the top expenses doesn't mean another should.

Imagine if they have taken a look at D4bes expenses, indeed just look a Jon Williams, he claim for flights to new york which had nothing do to with his work in RTÉ, but I suppose he made sure to build it into his contract! Along with €20k car allowances. Maybe if the TDs had done their job over a decade ago KB4 might have got back to Ireland sooner.

Are they thrifty?

I do think that there is day-to-day spend that RTÉ have to spend, and some of this would come under their remit.

I'd actually say they are thrifty in areas where they shouldn't be and flaithiúlach in areas where they shouldn't be.

Part and parcel of making programming is music, costumes, set design and graphic design. (Weather RTÉ get those right or not is another question).

But look at Claire Byrne Live, almost every season it had a new desk and chairs or a rearranged set, this wasn't good value, then it was replace by a new show again with a new set, graphic design and music, did they really need to change it?

But I don't get your argument. Should we not care what RTÉ spend, do you believe that they are now doing a good job?

4 regular presenters, none of whom present more than 3 programs per week, all be it some of them, such as Sarah McInerney, have other commitments. Also a host of stand in presenters. Typically at least 3 sports presenters covering the five days with again nobody on more than 3 times per week. A "normal" week for a lot of RTE staff would appear to be 3 or 4 days work.

Did you just discover “LOL” this week?

Suggesting they’re overstaffed isn’t quite the same thing as suggesting a teenager replace them all. But you knew that.

Just saw an ad for Marty’s Party in the Sun or something like that, for €1600.

Join Marty and Johnny Logan, Linda Martin and more (as if that wasn’t enough?) in Alicante.

No doubt Bakhurst has approved this as Marty’s “a good GAA man” and shure don’t ask any questions about the car.

The Toyman must be struggling to sell tickets for the Gaeity as he’s now added fellow NKM stablemate and star Baz to the list. No-one supports NKM stars like fellow NKM stars.all approved by KB I’m sure.

Meanwhile straight Queen of Ireland Doireann Garrihy is incredibly busy promoting Laya Healthcare (Brand Ambassador), Blanchardstown SC (where she’s now a Brand Ambassador no less - who knew shopping centres had Brand Ambassadors?), Volkswagen (yes, Brand Ambassador!), Centra (you guessed it), Millies (yes) and so much more! All approved internally I’m sure by KB and his compliance team (lol - as someone is fond of saying!). It must be great to be incapable of shopping for yourself and having stars like Doireann guide you towards the right purchases. If only RTÉ wouldn’t pay her a pittance she wouldn’t have to do all these side gigs and podcasts and concert/podcast tours to make ends meet. What’s great about the podcast though is she gets to interview other NKM stars constantly and then they can have her on their podcasts too so win-win!

These stars need our help. Maybe RTÉ could organise a telethon to raise money for the stars?

I am aware of that.

the MM car issue(s) has never really been explained. I have many questions…..

Was MM claiming mileage/expenses from RTÉ for all the years he was travelling the country covering GAA? Or are we supposed to believe that RTÉ were under the impression he was paying for his fuel and car related expenses out of his own pocket because of his love of the games?

The converse also applies, if he wasn’t getting mileage and expenses - why not? Considering the mileage the man certainly used to do you’d be talking hundreds of euro each week. And yet we’re supposed to believe he never claimed this and RTÉ seemingly never sought to ask if his expenses were covered?

What was the exact nature of his free car relationship with the supplier? What was the quid pro quo? The supplier believe it or not was Renault…..

Morrissey claimed at the time the car deal was approved by RTÉ - who approved it?

Morrissey also possibly had a brand ambassador car deal previously with BMW in 2016 btw. Colm Quinn BMW had a number of social media posts pre-dating The Ryan Tubridy Pay Scandal claiming Morrissey was a brand ambassador including pictures of MM receiving the keys to the car from Quinn himself, but apparently this was all a “misunderstanding”. The posts are deleted but also still available online as well as reports covering both their publication and deletion. The deletion happened post MM handing back the Renault btw.

Now whilst not as in deep as The Toyman it does seem that the rules were applied rather differently for MM as for The Toyman - which I’m sure adds to his belief that he’s the real victim in all of this.

Sounds like a good charity work alright, I am sure her work in the new company is voluntary.

It's interesting the pricing structure. I wonder if there's an auctioneer behind it or has Jacqui got the necessary qualifications