Is Ireland ready yet for Tubs' RTE comeback?

IS RTE testing the waters on a Ryan Tubridy comeback? 

- LARISSA NOLAN

The tide of opinion has turned on the star broadcaster over the course of a long month of the payments scandal.

Now Tubs has met with new RTE boss Kevin Bakhurst for the first time since the controversy broke on June 22.

The pair had a face-to-face this week over the presenter’s shaky future at the station – which Ryan himself conceded last week is “touch and go”.

In an unprecedented move, RTE sent out a statement about the meeting – which points to a new age of ultra-transparency in Montrose.

There was no real necessity to inform the public of this private meeting, as it didn’t result in a decision. There was no news to impart.

Bakhurt has indicated he doesn’t want a decision on Tubs to drag on, but he wants to be fair and ensure this “serious decision is the right one for RTE and for audiences”.

However, the announcement will also work as a way to gauge public opinion on his possible return, sooner rather than later.