Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AFTER THREE HOURS of grilling from Oireachtas members, Minister Catherine Martin will be hoping to have closed the book on the events leading up to Siún Ní Raghallaigh’s resignation.
“It has been a rollercoaster but I hope we’re on the right road now,” Martin said as the meeting wrapped up.
The Minister again thanked the former chair for her work and said she is determined to move forward with RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst and the RTÉ board.
Much of tonight’s committee focused on building the timeline up to the Minister’s appearance on Prime Time last Thursday night when she failed to express confidence in Ní Raghallaigh – who subsequently resigned from her position as a result.
Key questions were also asked about the intentions behind the Minister’s actions.
The stand out revelation from tonight was that Ní Raghallaigh had already threatened to resign ahead of the Minister appearing on Prime Time.
We also learned that the Minister did not plan to ask Ní Raghallaigh to resign in the Friday morning meeting that never happened.
And on the issue of whether Martin went on Prime Time with the intention of forcing Ní Raghallaigh’s resignation, the Minister denied this entirely.
Martin repeated multiple times throughout the three hours that she simply wanted to be honest and transparent during the Prime Time interview and that she “tried in every possible way” to avoid saying that she did not have confidence in Ní Raghallaigh.
Right at the very end when things seemed to be wrapping up, chair of the media committee Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth threw another small grenade into the mix with fresh questions about an exit package paid to former RTÉ executive, David Nally.
In response, Martin said that would be a matter for former Director General Dee Forbes and that it was another reason for Forbes to come before the Oireachtas Committee.
Other important information that we learned tonight:
The letter and the resignation
In the most shocking revelation from tonight’s committee hearing, Martin told TDs and Senators that the former chair of the RTÉ board had indicated that she would resign last week ahead of the Prime Time interview if she received a letter from the Minister.
Martin told the committee that her confidence was further rocked last week when she was told by her officials that Ní Raghallaigh, had indicated she would not accept a letter from the Minister outlining her grievances, never mind a meeting request.
Martin said “when you reach the point where someone doesn’t even want to receive a letter from the Minister, that’s problematic”.
The Minister had relayed through her officials that she intended to write a letter to Ní Raghallaigh outlining her disappointment at being misinformed by her in relation to the RTÉ board’s involvement in exit packages at the broadcaster.
Responding to questioning from Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan, Martin said Ní Raghallaigh indicated that she would resign if such a letter was sent.
“Later on as phone calls progressed in the day I had it indicated to her that not only would I write a letter but I wanted to meet.
“She indicated she felt she would not come to a meeting,” Martin told the committee.
The Minister said the comment was “so astounding” and she was hoping the former chair would agree to meet her.
“I couldn’t understand how someone would try and tell the Minister how to manage their work,” Martin said, adding that she hoped it was merely a “rash comment” from the chair.
Martin said she subsequently sent the letter, which she said did not call for Ní Raghallaigh’s resignation.
Looking ahead, it sadly does not seem as though tonight’s meeting has drawn the latest RTÉ controversy to a close.
With the committee agreeing to invite both Ní Raghallaigh and Licken to appear before it, there may be further grilling yet to come.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Information is power and hogan has taken away the most basic human right! Access to information.
The first person commented how there was no sound (and has now removed their comment, there is sound!! ) imagine the frustration you felt when watching the video, that’s our lives every day. Frustrating. Tiring. Limiting.
Return our ‘sound’
Yet another botched decision. , the craziness continues .
The video tells the tale. This is a shameless government, dismantling the few decent services that give some degree of dignity to those in need of them.
ISL should be enshrined in the constitution with full protection of rights!
I know it’s racist but, why don’t we take a few grand out of the foreign aid budget?
Over half a billion, and much of it thrown into a black hole. it’s absolute lunacy. If anybody disagrees, can they tell me if Africa is getting better or worse?
Sometimes I really do hope there is a hell and I hope those like Hogan burn there for eternity. The man should not be allowed to be in charge of opening a door.
Unfortunately that is not the case. Nature is cruel.
Why was that comment “there is no sound” been removed, for all you know that person may be deaf, ok so we all say he made a joke, try understand what the people are saying without reading the text I can just about lipread can’t sign and I can’t hear. People who know me who comment on here will know I am deaf, and not taking the piss.
A very sensible comment Declan .
Why would you need sound? See the world the way deaf people do!
I could have used this service had I known about it,now that I have its closed,then I may not have got because the household income might be €2 over the limit.
€8m is all that’s needed here!
Was even borrowing it and putting it on the “slate” considered?
Typical of Ireland and it’s backward government,hitting the needy and taking from the people that need services most.it can sometimes be very difficult for deaf people to integrate into society and now they are being victimised by their own government by the closure if deaforward they must feel further away from the rest of society than ever.The government shouod be embarrassed and ashamed but one thing is for sure,they are not!
Why am I not surprised? Oh yes because I live in Ireland.
It is with great dismay I read about the cut in funding to this vital service for the deaf community. The video above clearly illustrates how this service is needed so as to ensure that members of the deaf community are able to interact with bodies such as hospitals, government agencies and utilities companies in a dignified manner and on the same basis as any member of the hearing community.
For the government to cut this funding is tantamount to denying members of the deaf community the ability to access such basic human rights as to health and education. It is discrimination at the most fundamental level where the effect (intended or otherwise) is to marginalise 5,000 citizens of this country. It cannot be justified by raising budgetary concerns where less vital expenditure could be cut in its place.
i want our ids back, i don’t want be isolated again, need break the barrier, where can i go ? and access to health care, education etc, i wont go to gp if there is no interpreter, they gave me wrong med or no information. i have enough suffer in my childhood so enough is enough.
Totally agree Michelle! This decision is BEYOND shocking and an insult to every deaf person in this country!
This decision by Minister Hogan confirms his level of ignorance in dealing with people who have special needs. It’s obvious he neither understands nor cares about people who are challenged everyday in their efforts to live a normal life. These special services are a real and measurable lifeline for thousands of ordinary Irish citizens. “It’s a long road that hasn’t got a bend” and this decision will come back to haunt you Mr. Hogan
have your say