Update: 6.20pm, June 22
It comes as the National Union of Journalists described the situation as “a breach of trust unparalleled in the history of RTÉ”.
In a newly released statement, Ryan Tubridy has distanced himself from the controversy surrounding the reporting of his earnings by RTÉ.
It comes following a statement from the RTÉ Board on Thursday (22 June) which revealed that the presenter’s annual earnings between 2017 and 2022 had been understated by the broadcaster.
The RTÉ Board revealed that Tubridy was paid over €300,000 more during this time than initially declared. It then issued an apology over the matter, describing it as “a serious breach of trust with the public”.
Minister for Media Catherine Martin, meanwhile, said she was “extremely concerned” by the details of the board’s statement, while the National Union of Journalists described the situation as “a breach of trust unparalleled in the history of RTÉ”.
Watch: RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh speaks as the broadcaster admits it paid Ryan Tubridy hundreds of thousands of euro more over a period of several years than previously declared | More: https://t.co/xswPnwrjk2 https://t.co/MuF9f2IdM2
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 22, 2023
Tubridy, himself, has since responded to the controversy, explaining that he was “surprised” by the revelations. He also said he “can’t shed any light” on why RTÉ dealt with his payments in such a manner.
“Like many people, I’m surprised by the announcements made in RTÉ’s statement today regarding the errors in the reporting of its accounts,” Tubridy’s statement read, as reported by RTÉ News.
“It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTÉ have reported payments made to me but I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTÉ and I have no involvement in RTÉ’s internal accounting treatment or RTÉ’s public declarations in connection with such payments.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed to be at the centre of this story but unfortunately, I can’t shed any light on why RTÉ treated these payments in the way that they did nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard.”
RTÉ News also reports that Tubridy will not be presenting his radio show on Friday morning.
Main image via Rolling News
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