FORBES IN PLEA FOR BAILOUT BEFORE PAY FARCE

» Request made six weeks prior to DG's suspension >>Letter flagged up broadcaster's funding shortfall

- EOGHAN MURPHY

DEE Forbes wrote to the government pleading for more money for cash-strapped RTE six weeks before she was suspended as director-general. 

She called for the TV licence fee to be increased after remaining static for 15 years.

She was due to retire from the role this month but was suspended on June 21 and resigned five days later.

It came amid the furore over €345,000 in secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy.

Documents, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show Ms Forbes wrote to Media Minister Catherine Martin on May 8 about RTE’s financial woes.

She said: “This is likely to be the last time I write to you as Director General of RTE and it is with great regret that I must do so again on the subject of funding for RTE.”

Ms Forbes referred to the Future of Media Commission, which was tasked with putting the struggling industry on a firmer footing. Its report, with 50 recommendations, was published a year ago.