LAST UPDATE | 8 Aug 2025

BROADCASTER RYAN TUBRIDY has repaid €150,000 to his former employer RTÉ. He received the money for two promotional events that did not take place.

Tubridy had previously committed to paying back the sum of money he received from an RTÉ barter account.

He made the commitment during an Oireachtas committee meeting appearance following the announcement that the station underreported his salary over four years in 2023.

The scandal opened up questions around the governance and financial management of RTÉ, leading to the cash-strapped station facing a deepening funding crisis, and a plan for 400 job cuts.

Tubridy said he repaid the money today, adding: “I made this payment through my solicitor, without any discussions with RTÉ – or with anyone acting on their behalf – and without condition.

“I have said on various occasions that I intended making this payment, and I’m happy to have been able to do so today.”

The presenter was paid the €150,000 to host in two events, external to RTÉ, as part of a tri-partite agreement between Tubridy, car manufacturer Renault and the station. 

These payments were made via what’s known as a barter account, which are used by companies to exchange goods or services for other goods or services. 

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the events being suspended, but – despite not signing the deal until years later – RTÉ had verbally agreed to underwrite the agreement, leading to the station having to pay out the sum owed to Tubridy.

During his appearance before the Oireachtas Media Committee in 2023, Tubridy indicated he would be willing to repay the balance of €150,000 if he returned to RTÉ.

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RTÉ boss Kevin Bakhurst has previously said Tubridy had planned to return the money, stating that there was a “moral case” to pay RTÉ back.

However, he has also said previously that on a legal basis, the money might not be available to recuperate.

The use of barter accounts is an industry standard but is done through an intermediary, so doesn’t come for free – in this case, RTÉ spent an additional €80,000 in fees to the intermediary, on top of the €150,000 that was paid to Tubridy.

An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed that it received payment of €150,000 from Tubridy via his solicitor this afternoon: “RTÉ welcomes the payment and would like to thank Ryan Tubridy for making it.”

Chair of the Oireachtas media committee, Labour TD Alan Kelly, welcomed the payment. He said that are still outstanding issues regarding transparency at RTÉ, however, which need to be addressed to ensure its future.