A crunch meeting between Minister Catherine Martin and the director of the RTÉ Board has been brought forward by several days amid a political clamour for answers about the Ryan Tubridy pay scandal.
The Media Minister confirmed on Friday that she was first made aware that an issue had arisen during an audit in March. She insisted, however, that she only learned what the issue was and who it involved this week.
Three Oireachtas Committees have now called for RTÉ, suspended Director General Dee Forbes and even Tubridy to answer questions about the saga.
READ MORE: Ryan Tubridy 'unreservedly' apologises for not questioning salary but insists he won't leave RTE
Minister Martin was expected to meet with Siún Ní Raghallaigh, director of the RTÉ board, on Monday. However, sources confirmed to The Irish Mirror that the meeting has now been brought forward to Saturday.
Speaking on Friday morning, Minister Martin said that the national broadcaster must regain trust before the Government will look at the broadcaster’s funding.
"What I would say is there is a question there about the future funding model of RTÉ," she said.
"Obviously, that's something that we've been examining. That would have to be done in an environment of trust with the public. That's not there at the moment.
"I'd like to see the Executive Board make a comment on this too. The funding model, I believe, cannot be examined when we do not have trust."
Despite being suspended from her role, the Oireachtas’ powerful public spending watchdog the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will "demand" that Ms Forbes attends a meeting on Thursday.
In an email sent to PAC members, seen by the Irish Mirror, chairman Brian Stanley told members that he would write to RTÉ calling for management to attend the meeting on Friday evening.
Mr Stanley said in a statement that questions had to be answered about Ms Forbes’ departure and she has an "obligation to come before the committee".
"The PAC has been misled by RTÉ representatives, including Ms Forbes," he said.
PAC will meet on Monday to discuss the potential meeting.
The Oireachtas Media Committee also held an unscheduled online session on Friday afternoon to discuss the scandal.
Sources told The Irish Mirror that the RTÉ Executive Board will be invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday.
While Ms Forbes will be on the invite list, there is an expectation that she will not attend the meeting. Other invitees will include Ms Ní Raghallaigh, former board chair Moya Doherty, Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch, Richard Collins, director of RTÉ Commercial Enterprises, and Geraldine O’Leary, group head of commercial at RTÉ.
The Irish Mirror understands that there were suggestions by both Media Committee and PAC members that Mr Tubridy would also be invited to shed light on what he knew about the arrangements. However, there is an acceptance that he is not obliged to appear before either group.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, meanwhile, wrote to the chair of the Oireachtas Finance Committee John McGuinness calling for Mr Tubridy, Ms Forbes and Ms Ní Raghallaigh to attend.
