Use of barter account to convey RTE shoppers to sporting occasions ‘outrageous’
T
he use of RTE’s barter account to assist convey its shoppers to the Rugby World Cup and Champions League remaining in 2019 has been described as “outrageous”.
Discussions on the usage of RTE’s barter account befell earlier than the Public Accounts committee as executives sought to make clear the way it was used to make two 75,000 euro funds to star presenter Ryan Tubridy which weren’t included in his complete wage printed by RTE.
RTE’s chief monetary officer Richard Collins mentioned there have been transactions costing 111,000 euro to the barter account for journey and resorts to facilitate bringing shoppers to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
He mentioned 10-year IRFU tickets have been bought with a value via the barter account of 138,000 euro.
In addition, there have been transactions referring to the Champions League remaining in 2019 totalling 26,000 euro.
The shoppers in query weren’t named earlier than the Public Accounts committee.
RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh mentioned this was “outrageous” and will undergo a procurement course of; TD James O’Connor instructed there gave the impression to be “a Las Vegas-style culture, a Celtic Tiger culture” to how the barter account was used.
Former RTE managing director Jon Williams clarified on Twitter that though he went to the 2019 remaining in Madrid, he paid for his ticket and journey prices.
“I was there in a personal capacity. I bought my ticket & paid for all the travel costs myself. I received no hospitality and there was no cost to RTE,” he mentioned.
Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster requested business director Geraldine O’Leary a few U2 live performance in Croke Park on May 14 2019 and a separate occasion at The Ok Club in Co Kildare in the identical yr.
Ms O’Leary mentioned: “Client representation is a key part of what we do with media businesses, along with every other media owner in Ireland. So it is not unusual, in fact, it’s part of the job that we create relationships with clients and agencies who spend (money).”
When requested if her associate accompanied her to the U2 gig that she had organised, Ms O’Leary mentioned: “My husband probably came with me, yes, as every guest had their partner… I don’t remember whether he did… but he probably did.”
When requested whether or not a coach was employed to take the group from a restaurant in Drumcondra to Croke Park, a roughly 15 minute stroll away, she mentioned sure.
“Very flippant with taxpayers’ money,” Ms Munster remarked.
“It’s client representation, which is part of what we do,” she mentioned.
When requested about whether or not she personally attended The Ok Club occasion, she mentioned: “I’d have to look back at that, I probably attended the dinner in the evening after the golf, but I don’t personally golf.”