Martin ‘not ruling out’ RTE axings
Minister says anonymised show report is ‘not ideal’
CATHERINE Martin yesterday admitted it is “less than ideal” the Toy Show Musical report was anonymised as she said she is “not ruling out” asking for resignations in RTE.
The Media Minister said she “hasn’t been told” if the expert reports she commissioned into culture, governance and HR issues will also contain no names.
Grant Thornton published its findings on the €2.2million loss-making production on Thursday.
It found it did not receive any sign-off from RTE’S audit and risk committee or board.
By the time many its members learned of the project, the Convention Centre had been booked and tickets had gone on sale.
While the report interviewed dozens of people, there are no names attributed to quotes.
Yesterday morning, Ms Martin added this was “distracting” as “you find yourself as you’re reading it nearly trying to figure out who is who”.
However, speaking at Government Buildings later in the afternoon, she said she “had to respect” that people contributed because it was anonymised.
Ms Martin added: “I can understand that it’s not ideal, but that is the case.
“We know who the board members were that were in place at that time.
“We know who the executives that were in place at that time.
CONFIDENTIALITY
“I have to respect the commissioning of the report and the decision that was taken in order to get the co-operation of people that it was agreed there was confidentiality and anonymity.
“Accountability will be found when they are at the committees and that’s why it was really important to allow them to remain in place and they can allow the PAC and the Oireachtas committee on media to continue their deliberations.”
Fine Gael TD Alan Dillion said RTE appeared to be “calling the shots” with the Department of Media.
He added: “This report was commissioned by them and they have chosen to release a version that protects individuals whose collective failure in their responsibilities cost the public purse, and the taxpayer a significant amount of money, €2.2million.
“That she is content to take what RTE is prepared to give her is uninspiring for those of us who seek full disclosure to enable us to work with a national broadcaster which is fit-for-purpose after this series of outrageous events.”
Ms Martin also called RTE’S attempt to plug a hole in the musical’s sponsorship revenue by attributing €75,000 from a different account “bizarre accounting and highly inappropriate”.