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CHAIR OF THE RTÉ Board Siún Ní Raghallaigh said there was a “lapse of control” around ‘Toy Show The Musical’ which led to RTÉ bosses failing to pull the production.
New documents of a meeting between the Board in July, released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that there was no risk assessment carried out for the production, which ended in RTÉ losing €2.2 million.
The production, which sold only 11,044 of the over 90,000 tickets it had to sell to meet its €3.215 million revenue target. However, after half of the shows were cancelled due to the cast and crew falling ill, the production only generated €495,961 in revenue.
Minutes from the meeting on 3 July, held amidst the RTÉ payments scandal, show that Ní Raghallaigh noted that the lack of a risk assessment “showed a weakness in board controls” and labelled the losses “stark”.
The Board agreed they themselves should have done “more stress testing of the project”. The minutes also revealed there was “no formal approval process”, by the Board, to allow these projects to go ahead.
A breakdown of costs associated with the musical, which the July meeting reveals was to “derive additional commercial income, shows, in total, €2,699,193 was spent on the production.
Almost half of the cost went towards hiring the Convention Centre venue, and “show-running costs” while just over half a million was spent on creative team and management costs.
Over €369,000 went on rehearsal costs and €156,020 was spent on marketing and press.
Despite the Board admitting it was aware of the revenue the project was losing, it noted that it failed to halt the production. This was because it viewed the project as “a fait accompli” – or they felt there was no option but to let it continue despite its failures.
Adrian Lynch, who was serving as acting-Director General of the broadcaster at the time, said the project had the support of the previous chair, Moya Doherty.
The current-chair, Ní Raghallaigh immediately noted that there was a “lapse of control” and “lack of rigorous interrogation” by the Board over this issue, and that the Executive Board should have provided a risk assessment.
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Flip flops for everyone in the audience!
Imagine hiring a writer who had never written for musical theatre before. I guess it’s all about who you know…
In other words the board were derelict in their duty and didn’t do their job. As usual there will be no negative consequences. 400 employees will pay the price instead.
@Jon Smith: So will the taxpayer.
@Jon Smith: they did a job, someone who knew someone got a high paying gig on the taxpayer buck
Siun ni Raghallaigh said on a number of occasions and without hesitation on live TV, on radio and in front of committees that those responsible for the RTÉ scandal would be made accountable.
6 months on……..
A lapse of control….. that’s a new one.
“Lapse of control”,
There was never any control it seems. Spending money they didn’t have. Paying over inflated presenters saleries, flip flops, failed toy show musical. The list is endless.
I see Kin got bought by the BBC. For proper scheduling too.
RTE should just do sport and crime dramas.
Forget the rest of it.
… and John Creedon. Keep him too.
@Louis Jacob:
and John Kelly
@Louis Jacob: Kin is a joint venture with RTE and Bron Productions ! Not totally RTE
Does RTE like employing poor talent? As the Private Irish Media Commercial sector actually makes great dramas that are bought by to stations worldwide….
While RTE can only develop Fairly Sh!tty
@Luka Roche: As a Dub I can’t stand Fair City – full of middle class actors putting on what they think are working class accents – pathetic.
…and this crowd of wasters want the public to pay a TV licence.
A mere 2.2 million of a loss
It’s only taxpayers money
And a License Fee increase to come
It’s all good
Ahh sure look, you have to make mistakes to learn. Nothing new will ever be tried if people are afraid of all the moaning & groaning if it doesn’t rake in the calamari…
@Colm de: I actually agree. You have to take risks.
@Louis Jacob: Lack of governance and non-decision making. That’s why they’re paid the big bucks
@Louis Jacob: easy to take risks with tax payers money
@Louis Jacob: calculated risks and informed decisions were required.
@Mick Duvanny:..Rory Coveney. Simons brother.was on the board of Rte and had total control for the Toy Show and its costs…..But like the rest after 2 days of questioning. YES YOU GUESSED IT…….
HE Resigned like the rest.
No sl-’1t Sherlock .
You just have to laugh!
A sudden rush of blood to the head. Not necessarily a bad thing but some one outside the bubble should have put the brakes on.
Over. It. All.
A risk assessment and stress testing for an overpriced play about a Toy Show.. What has society become?
This is what happens when you give people a job for life, limitless funds and zero accountability.
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