Public Accounts Committee scrutinises RTÉ funding and governance reforms
The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee meets with RTÉ leadership to examine Exchequer funding and ongoing governance improvements. Deputy John Brady emphasises the need for transparency as TV licence sales continue their sharp decline.
Public Accounts Committee Scrutinises RTÉ Funding and Governance
The Committee of Public Accounts is set to convene on Thursday, 9 July 2026, at 10:30 am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House. The session will focus on Exchequer funding and governance arrangements for Raidio Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). Director General Kevin Bakhurst, other RTÉ representatives, officials from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy will attend.
Deputy John Brady, Cathaoirleach of the Committee, highlighted that serious governance and financial issues emerged at RTÉ three years ago, prompting significant reform. While acknowledging progress in strengthening financial controls and restoring public trust, the Committee insists on independently verifying if these measures deliver the transparency and accountability expected by licence fee payers.
Financial challenges remain acute. In 2024, RTÉ received €173.5 million from television licence fees, supplemented by additional Exchequer funding due to a sharp income drop. Television licence sales have plummeted by 19% since 2022, with an estimated 424,000 homes—representing 20.8% of households—lacking televisions. This trend is particularly pronounced among young people and in urban areas.
A significant structural change is underway: the Broadcasting Amendment Bill will designate the Comptroller and Auditor General as RTÉ’s auditor from the 2026 financial figures onwards. Consequently, the upcoming meeting will review publicly available financial statements, annual reports, and correspondence to ensure RTÉ is fully prepared for this expanded audit remit.
Key areas of examination include:
- Exchequer and television licence funding arrangements.
- Additional voted funding via general taxation.
- Governance, Board oversight, and accountability mechanisms.
- Staff remuneration, employment classifications, and contracts.
- Progress on organisational reforms.
- Preparations for the extended audit role of the C&AG.