RTE bosses will face questions from TDs and Senators today over the broadcaster’s finances, after the Government refused to provide an additional €31 million in funding for next year.
Director General Kevin Bakhurst will appear before the Oireachtas Media Committee chaired by Tipp TD Alan Kelly to discuss the organisation’s financial position and future plans.
The broadcaster had sought the extra funding to cover rising costs and a projected fall in television licence revenue.
The Committee will also examine RTÉ’s plans to reduce staffing levels as part of its ongoing transformation programme.
Deputy Kelly says there are a lot of questions to be answered by both RTE as well as the Department of Communications and Media.
“The CEO Kevin Bakhurst has said publicly that he was shocked that they were notified just before the Budget that they would be losing €20 million of an agreed funding programme with Government.
“We need to find out what happened here because it seems like the officials telling RTE three hours before the Budget were shocked themselves to have to make that phone call. It seems to be very much last minute that this decision was made so we’ll be asking the Department how this happened.”
