RTÉ HAS DEFENDED a number of unorthodox payments uncovered in a new internal report, saying they are historic and date back “years or decades”.

According to a report by the Irish Independent today, the document details eight irregular payments ranging between €10,000 and €30,000, mainly related to pensions.

In one case, top-up pension payments were reportedly made to a family member of a deceased former senior executive.

The report, compiled by RTÉ’s chief financial officer Mari Hurley, also raises questions about a piece of land and a valuable artwork in the broadcaster’s possession, where ownership remains unclear.

In an internal email to staff today, RTÉ’s Director General Kevin Bakhurst said the financial matters “were identified and addressed by RTÉ, and were brought to the attention of the Department”, adding that most of the issues are “years or decades old”.

Bakhurst told staff today that the broadcaster had increased provisions on its balance sheet to ensure the payments are fully accounted for, describing the move as part of RTÉ’s commitment to “stronger governance” and “rebuilding trust”.

Four of the eight payments date back decades, including one made to the widow of a former Director General, while the remaining four relate to staff who took early retirement under voluntary exit programmes in 2017 and 2021.

The report has been submitted to Communications Minister Patrick O’Donovan and is expected to go before Cabinet in the coming weeks alongside RTÉ’s 2024 annual report.

RTÉ has also said it is reviewing ownership of a long-held artwork and a small section of land on its Donnybrook campus previously used by Eir.

“RTÉ is currently seeking to establish ownership of the piece which has been in RTÉ’s possession for many years,” Bakhurst said of the artwork in question.

On the land, Bakhurst added: “The specifics relating to this small section of RTÉ’s Donnybrook campus are currently being reviewed as part of an overall masterplan study of the site.”

The broadcaster has been plagued by controversy over financial governance and undisclosed payments in recent years, including the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal, the use of a barter account for corporate hospitality, and a sharp fall in licence fee revenue.