Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Matt Carthy, has said that the handling of the debacle at RTÉ by the government has been a shambles from start to finish.

He has said that Minister Catherine Martin has serious questions to answer on the matter.

Speaking this morning, Teactha Carthy said:

“The handling of this entire debacle at RTÉ has been an utter shambles for seven months. 

“The government have been on the back foot at every turn, particularly Minister Catherine Martin. Every time she’s put on the spot she says she’s not responsible; that it’s someone else’s problem. 

“The Minister revealed on Monday that she had her first first briefing on severance packages at RTÉ that day, despite the findings of the McCann Fitzgerald report emerging three weeks ago. 

“She has been behind the curve at every twist and turn in this debacle, and the events of the past twenty-four hours won’t surprise anyone.

“It now transpires that her Department was aware of at least one of the exit packages in October. Why did the Minister not know? She should come before the Dáil next week and answer serious questions on the matter so that all of the facts are in the public domain. Sinn Féin have written to the Ceann Comhairle today to ensure this happens.

“We were promised a new era of transparency and openness in how RTÉ does its business and spends taxpayers money, but the government have done nothing to ensure this is the case.

“RTÉ should be brought back under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General; as was the case for many, many years; and which we in Sinn Féin have repeatedly called for. This would also have the effect of ensuring the Public Accounts Committee can provide adequate oversight of its finances. We must see that happen now without delay.”