The presenter’s agent has also offered to help the committee with its investigations into the broadcaster.
Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly have requested to meet with the Oireachtas Committee on Media next week to “co-operate and assist” with its investigation into the RTÉ payments scandal.
The controversy began after the RTÉ Board last month revealed that the former Late Late host’s annual earnings between 2017 and 2022 had been understated by the broadcaster. The board said that Tubridy was paid over €300,000 more during this time than initially declared.
Kelly and Tubridy made the request in a letter sent on their behalf by Hayes Solicitors to the chair of the committee Niamh Smyth on Wednesday (5 July).
Published by RTÉ News, the letter reads:
“I am writing to you on behalf of our clients Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly in relation to your committee’s investigations into RTÉ expenditure and governance issues.
“Mr Tubridy and Mr Kelly wish to fully cooperate and assist with your committee’s investigations. They believe that they have important information that will assist the committee in its examination of these issues and clarify a number of matters that have arisen.
“Both Mr Tubridy and Mr Kelly kindly request to meet with your committee at a suitable time next week.
“They would welcome this opportunity to set out their position on these matters and then submit themselves to appropriate questioning from the members of the committee on what are clearly matters of public interest.
“We will prepare a booklet of relevant documents which can be shared with the committee in advance of our attendance. Please note that we have written in similar terms to the Committee of Public Accounts.”
The letter comes as members of the RTÉ Executive and Board will be quizzed by the committee on Wednesday afternoon.
One major topic of focus is expected to be the revelations on Tuesday night that the broadcaster had three barter accounts, instead of only one – which it had previously claimed.
This is the type of account that was used to make undisclosed payments to Tubridy.
Main image via Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
Read more:
- Dee Forbes wrote letter to Ryan Tubridy promising not to cut his salary
- Minister rubbishes reports that RTÉ set for job cuts or selloff of assets
- Late Late Show’s upcoming season will be a lot shorter, confirms RTÉ
- RTÉ’s chief financial officer says he does not know his ‘exact salary’
- Center Parcs opt against renewing sponsorship of The Ryan Tubridy Show
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