BAKHURST: RTE MUST PROVE IT'S CHANGING

Govt bailout downplayed by  Director General, Boss praises the 'reasonable price' of Kielty

- JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDGE

THE new Director General of RTE has said it needs to show it has changed significantly in the wake of the controversy over undeclared payments to Ryan Tubridy. 

Kevin Bakhurst also said the broadcaster needs to keep "downward pressure" on presenters' pay as he attempts to restore confidence in the crisis-hit organisation.

RTE has been engulfed in turmoil since it admitted it had under-declared former Late Late Show host Mr Tubridy's earnings by €345,000 from 2017 to 2022.

The figure included three €75,000 annual payments received by the 50-year-old for proposed public appearances for Renault, as part of a tripartite agreement involving the sponsor, RTE and the presenter.