Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock, PA
Terence O’Rourke is set to be named as the new chair of the RTÉ board.
It is understood that Minister for Media Catherine Martin’s recommendation of Mr O’Rourke’s appointment was agreed by Coalition leaders on Monday night and will go to Cabinet for approval on Tuesday.
Mr O’Rourke, originally from Co Monaghan, is a former KPMG managing partner and the current chairman of ESB.
Ms Martin is also set to announce the names of two new board members for Cabinet approval.
It comes after the former chair of the board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, hit out at Ms Martin, saying she had no option but to resign after an “enforced dismissal”.
She also criticised the Minister for “actively taking a hands-off approach” to the widening scandal at RTÉ and accused her of not assisting with falling TV licence revenues.
Ms Ní Raghallaigh resigned from her role on the board of the broadcaster hours after Ms Martin expressed disappointment in her during a live television interview.
Appearing on Prime Time on February 22nd, the Minister refused to express confidence in Ms Ní Raghallaigh, saying she had been misinformed about the chair’s role in approving an exit package for former RTÉ chief financial officer Richard Collins.
The Minister was criticised for her handling of the situation, with opposition TDs claiming she had effectively sacked the chair live on air.
In a statement, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said: “If the Minister had decided that she no longer wanted me as chair, that is her privilege.
“However, I cannot remain silent about the manner of my enforced dismissal, which seemed designed to traduce my reputation.”
Ms Martin responded by saying she needed to be able to rely on “clear, timely and accurate information” from the former chair of the RTÉ board.
She added: “This is particularly important at such a challenging time in RTÉ’s history.”
Commenting on the new appointments, Ms Martin said: “An important step forward for RTÉ will be taken when I seek Government approval for the appointment of a new chair and additional board members.
“Upon appointment, I will seek to meet the new chair and the director general in the coming days.”
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