Ryan Tubridy "surprised" by RTÉ overpayment scandal

Ryan Tubridy has issued a statement regarding his apparent overpayment for by RTÉ saying, "Like many people, I am surprised by announcements made in RTÉ's statement. I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTÉ and I have no involvement in RTÉ's internal accounting.

"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 they did nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard."

Tubridy statement 🗣️ “Like many people, I’m surprised by the announcements made in RTE’s statement today…” pic.twitter.com/VOYEtTHou9

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) June 22, 2023

Also issuing a statement in the last few minutes is Ryan Tubridy’s long-time agents, NK Management.

“We were made aware today of RTÉ’s statement concerning its accounting treatment and public declarations of payments made to Ryan Tubridy,” they say. “These are matters for which RTÉ has sole responsibility and accountability.

“There is no issue whatsoever in relation to the payments being properly and lawfully due and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy or NK Management. “These issues are solely concerned with RTÉ’s internal accounting treatment and public declarations in respect of such lawful payments.”

The statements follows RTÉ's findings in its internal investigation that Tubridy was paid anywhere from €20,000 to €56,000 more per year than was publicly stated from 2017 to 2022. His total unreported pay comes in at €345,000 over six years. They say the oversight became apparent in March – the same month that the broadcaster announced his departure from the Late Late Show.

"Mr. Tubridy’s previously published remunerations for 2020 and 2021 show that he earned €466,250 and €440,000 respectively across those years, which by 2021 (first full year on new contract) appeared to represent an 11% reduction on his 2019 earnings," the RTÉ Board say. "The review conducted by Grant Thornton concerned a separate agreement under which Mr. Tubridy was guaranteed by RTÉ an additional annual income of €75,000 which was intended to come from a commercial partner.

"In making an agreement with the commercial partner, RTÉ concluded it on a cost neutral basis to the commercial partner, and the fee due to Mr. Tubridy was guaranteed and underwritten by RTÉ. Accordingly, under the terms of this agreement, a payment of €75,000 was received by Mr. Tubridy in July 2020 from a commercial partner, in exchange for a number of personal appearances a year.

"As part of this agreement, RTÉ in turn issued a credit note to the commercial partner thereby reducing the cost to it of its overall sponsorship arrangement with the organisation. The commercial partner did not renew this agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed and underwritten by RTÉ, the payments were instead made directly by RTÉ to Mr. Tubridy’s agent (on his behalf).

"Mr. Tubridy received two payments of €75,000 (totalling €150,000), each in 2022 (being a payment for 2021 and a payment for 2022). It was these payments that prompted the review by Grant Thornton. These payments were recorded in the RTÉ Barter Account in 2022 at a value of €115,380 each."

This is how RTÉ are reporting on the story tonight: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0622/1390614-rte

Minister for Arts and Culture, Catherine Martin said in a statement earlier today she is "extremely concerned at the details... on foot of that review being completed... The public rightly expect much higher standards of transparency and accountability from Ireland’s Public Service broadcaster."

The underreported numbers already placed him as RTÉ's highest-paid presenter, at €440,000 for 2021. Without adjusting for the additional pay bump, he is still comfortably ahead of his next highest paid coworkers at the network, Joe Duffy with €351,000 and Clair Byrne with €350,000 in 2021.

Minister Martin confirmed in her statement that she has raised concerns with RTÉ Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh, and intends to follow up with her in a meeting on Monday to discuss details of how the network plans to move forward.

The news has prompted a terse reaction from the RTÉ Trade Union Group Chair, Stuart Masterson.

"This is a significant breach of trust with their staff and representatives, with the Government and with the Irish Public," he says. "RTÉ have done immense damage to the relationship with staff. This happened at a time when staff were engaged in cost-cutting negotiations with management. We would expect the investigation is conducted in a completely open and transparent manner."

Here's the RTÉ Trade Union Group statement in full:

RTÉ Trade Union Group expresses “shock” at Ryan Tubridy payments revelations.

“A significant breach of trust with staff, representatives… Govt… and the Irish public.” pic.twitter.com/CCfuprCieo

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) June 22, 2023