Sinn Féin spokesperson for Public Expenditure, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has criticised the government for making no meaningful reforms before agreeing huge sums of money for RTÉ.

Teachta Conway-Walsh has been leading Sinn Féin’s demands that for the state auditor, the C&AG, to have oversight of RTÉ accounts since the scandal broke last July.

The Mayo TD said:

“It has now been over a year since the scandal at RTÉ broke. The public have again seen the astronomical salaries being paid to directors and presenters. They have seen the government agree a three-year bailout worth hundreds of millions. But they are still waiting for any meaningful reforms.

“Sinn Féin understands that if we want high quality public broadcasting at RTÉ and across other media organisations such as local radio, then we need to fund that properly.

“The government have put the cart before the horse. The public want to see this mess cleaned up and safeguards put in place before more public money is handed over.

“People want to see real oversight and accountability and that can be easily delivered by extending the C&AG’s remit to cover RTÉ. I have complete faith in the ability of the C&AG to bring the necessary scrutiny to the accounts of RTÉ – now and in the future.

“Public trust is paramount when it comes to both spending public money and public service broadcasting.

“Sinn Féin has been calling since last July for RTÉ’s exemption from state audit to be removed – to allow the C&AG to carry out audits as they currently do for TG4. RTÉ’s special treatment needs to end.

“The government’s talk of accountability at RTÉ and bluster from committee meetings rings hollow when this straightforward step is not taken.

“Sinn Féin wants to see all semi-states under the remit of the state auditor. This is seen internationally as best practice. This should start with RTÉ to protect the public investment.”