A review of RTÉ finances is understood to have found a number of further barter accounts., it has emerged.
The broadcaster has been rocked by controversy again as it emerged that there are more so-called ‘barter accounts,’ similar to the one already at the centre of the uproar over payments to Ryan Tubridy.
An RTE source has told the Irish Mirror that the latest development is “very serious” and could lead to “heads rolling” in the organisation.
READ MORE: Ryan Tubridy invited to Dail committee for grilling over RTE €345k secret payments controversy
A spokeswoman for RTE was tight-lipped over the latest revelations on Tuesday, saying: “RTÉ will provide comment and context regarding these barter accounts at tomorrow's JOC (Joint Oireachtas Committee) meeting.”
The Media Committee is due to meet at 1.30pm on Wednesday to ask further questions to RTE board members and executives, as well as the former chairwoman of the RTE board, Moya Doherty, and former chief financial officer Breda O’Keeffe.
RTE’s executive and board have said they will address the issue of the additional barter accounts during the session.
Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said that she believes the national broadcaster is now facing “an existential crisis.”
She said: “There can be no more drip feed of information from RTÉ. I would implore the senior management team to get all their ducks in a row before returning to the Oireachtas this week.
“There is now an existential threat to our national broadcaster, and we cannot allow it to implode on itself. News breaking this evening that at least one more barter account is in use in the organisation is shocking for the public and gut-wrenching for workers at RTÉ who have fought with management for additional crews and resources.
“Every day something new is breaking from RTÉ. In order to safeguard its future, we need RTÉ to put absolutely everything on the table tomorrow.”
It's understood RTE forwarded a document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee confirming that there are three barter accounts.
All eyes will now be on the Oireachtas media committee where RTE are expected to give a detailed account of what they found in their latest trawl.
It also emerged ten of the RTE Executive board members are being paid over €200,000 a year. It reveals that a ‘presenting and non-management’ at the top of the list’s salary came to €515,00 last year.
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