RTÉ chief plays down concerns over presenters' interests
RTÉ’s top executive today ruled out forcing the station’s top presenters to declare their interests just like TDs and senators.
Labour TD Tommy Broughan told the Oireachtas Communications Committee that there were concerns about private commercial deals being enjoyed by some top stars and whether this impacted on their impartiality of the State’s public service broadcaster.
He referred to presenter Ryan Tubridy’s previous links with car manufacturer Lexus and Late Late Show anchor Pat Kenny’s involvement with a successful greyhound.
But RTÉ director general Cathal Goan told the committee he carried put his own research on the issue and was happy there were no conflicts of interest relating to staff or contract employees which could impact on RTÉ’s broadcasts.
“I can assure you that in the issue of dogs or cars, there are no material conflicts of interest.
“Apart from a few marginal concerns, I believe that the individuals who have been named satisfy our codes of conduct,” he said.
He added: “While I have a few marginal remaining concerns, I’m addressing those at the moment.”
Committee chairman Noel O’Flynn and Tommy Broughan asked if an official register of interests was needed.
Mr Goan said he believed contract staff had legitimate outside interests which were fully declared to their superiors within the organisation.
“I don’t frankly believe that there is a need for a register of interests because this is frequently whipped up unnecessarily.”
Mr Broughan said it was incumbent on all public representatives to declare any personal interests during public debates.
Mr Goan agreed that it would be a very serious breach of contract if presenters didn’t comply with their obligations to provide fair and balanced coverage.
RTÉ executives were today discussing their 2004 Annual Report with the all-party Committee.
Director of Television Noel Curran also confirmed the future of the You’re A Star programme, despite this year’s winning entry song failing to qualify for last weekend’s Eurovision final.
“I think we would be incredibly foolish to walk away from You’re A Star,” he said.
Mr Curran said Donna and Joseph McCaul delivered an excellent performance and he was very disappointed for the duo.
RTÉ chairman Patrick Wright complained that up to 14% of Irish people were still evading paying their annual €155 licence fee compared to only 6% in the UK.
