While there may have been seven hours of committee meetings on Tuesday, there remain significant questions for RTÉ, Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly still to answer.
Is Friday D-Day for Tubs?
Tubridy has been missing from his 9am Radio 1 slot for the last three weeks as the controversy erupted.
New RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said on Monday that a decision would need to be made soon.
Read More: Ryan Tubridy tells Oireachtas committee of grim fate on his radio show
However, Tubridy said three times during the Oireachtas Media Committee that he could be out of a job come Friday.
Who really knew what?
At last week’s Media Committee, former RTÉ Chief Financial Officer Breda O’Keeffe said that she “was not aware any guarantee had issued” to underwrite the Renault agreement when she left her role in March 2020.
However, emails released by Noel Kelly on Tuesday show that Ms O’Keefe said in February 2020: “We can provide you with a side letter to underwrite this fee for the duration of the contract.”
Will Tubridy hand back the Renault money?
Mr Tubridy still has six appearances to do for Renault under the agreement and has already received the payment worth €150,000.
He said that while he will do the engagements if asked, he is also prepared to hand back the money if he is not called upon.
Was Noel Kelly really not aware of the underwriting?
Mr Kelly said umpteen times during the meetings that he was not aware RTÉ had agreed to pay money if Renault pulled out of the deal.
Many TDs and Senators were not fully convinced of this last night [tues] and were unhappy that he was pushing the blame onto RTÉ.
What’s next?
With four reviews and another RTÉ appearance at the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, who knows?
The Committees are also waiting to hear if former Director General Dee Forbes will attend a meeting, meaning the controversy is bound to rumble on for the rest of the year.
