It occurred whilst RTÉ was simultaneously paying for a membership at an exclusive London club.
More shocking revelations continue to flow out of the Oireachtas Media Committee this week, which is investigating RTÉ’s financial dealings in the wake of the Ryan Tubridy scandal.
Yesterday there was a triple hit to the organisation’s credibility after it emerged that €5k had been spent on flip-flops for a summer party, that one employee had kept an ‘on loan’ car for five years, and the exposing of the Toy Show Musical’s €2.2 million loss.
However, yet another embarrassing declaration has since come to light, with the news that one senior RTÉ reporter was forced to do live on-air interviews from cafe toilets in London.
Fiona Mitchell, who was at the time the broadcaster’s London correspondent, had to use cafes as a workplace due to RTÉ giving up their London office space.
This occurred at the same time the broadcaster was shelling out thousands of euro per annum on a membership for an exclusive private club in the city.
RTÉ revelations fracturing relationship between board and executive.
Financial documents examined by the Committee detailed how RTÉ had spent €8,316 over four years for an annual membership at London’s Soho Club.
The centrally situated, five-storey, 18th Century townhouse boasts two dining spaces, private meeting rooms and a 43-seat cinema.
As these revelations continue to seep out of the organisation, the discontent between RTÉ’s board and its’ executive is also being highlighted.
Prior to Wednesday’s hearings, RTÉ chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh wrote to interim Director General Adrian Lynch in which she outlined her inability to express confidence in the executive.
A source from within the State broadcaster also informed the Irish Independent about the “growing chasm” emerging between the two.
RTÉ education correspondent Emma O’Kelly further commented on the news, criticising the “lavish spending” of the broadcaster’s executive board.
Related articles:
- RTÉ employee returns ‘on loan’ car after five years
- Audit of RTÉ’s ‘Toy Show The Musical’ ordered after €2.2million loss
- RTÉ barter accounts reveal shocking purchase of €5k worth of flip-flops
- Ryan Tubridy requests to meet with Oireachtas committee over RTÉ scandal
- Dee Forbes wrote letter to Ryan Tubridy promising not to cut his salary
- Government to commission two independent reviews of RTÉ in wake of payments scandal
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