RTÉ CEO Kevin Buckhurst told the Public Accounts Committee that Ryan Tubridy is not currently being paid by the station until a new “level” of pay is agreed, reports RTE.
Mr Tubridy, who has been absent since the payment history was revealed on June 22, told the commission earlier this week that he was still paid by RTÉ.
However, when asked today whether Mr Tubridy is currently receiving any salary, Mr Buckhurst said: “As of this week, no. Because we need to agree what the level of that is,” reports RTE.
Chief Legal Officer Paula Mullooly said RTÉ believed Mr Tubridy’s contract had expired, but said Mr Tubridy’s agent, Noel Kelly, categorically disputed this.
Mr Buckhurst said there would be a fair trial as he prepared to decide Mr Tubridy’s future at RTÉ.
It’s the last day of the Dáil’s term, but it’s unlikely to be the last time politicians ask questions about RTÉ.
During the PAC hearing, RTÉ CEO Ryan Tubridy spoke about his offer to reimburse the €150,000 paid to him by RTÉ last year.
This week, RTÉ rejected key evidence presented by Ryan Tubridy’s agent, Noel Kelly.
In addition, Mr Lynch said that Mr Kelly tried to make the €150,000 payment knowing that the deal with Renault was no longer in effect.
Mr Bakhurst told the committee: “As I understand it, the latest invoice came in this week and my advice is we need to decide exactly what we’re paying him because he’s not doing his past duties any more, so that’s currently a process going on,” reports RTE.
RTÉ’s CEO, who said he had not spoken to Mr Tubridy this week, said there would be a “fair process” around decisions about his future at the broadcaster and that they had to do “what is right for RTÉ”, reports RTE.
Asked what salary Mr Tubridy is being paid, Mr Bakhurst said: “We’ll have to continue discussions with Mr Tubridy’s agent about that because clearly he’s not doing his TV programme any more. He should be available for radio so we have not settled on exactly what he should be being paid at the moment, but we’ll be paying the appropriate amount once we’ve confirmed,” reports RTE.
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