Leinster House was awash with rumours last night that there may be more RTE staff with free cars after sports presenting star Marty Morrissey admitted he had a ‘loaned’ car for five years.
However, he said he returned the free car loaned to him last month, whereas an RTE boss told an Oireachtas committee a free car was only returned this Tuesday gone.
Politicians have been scrutinising RTE executives at two committees for more than a week now, the Public Accounts Committee and the Media Committee.
It emerged at the Media Committee on Thursday that at least one star at the station had the use of a car which was not authorised by management, which it should be under their rules.
READ MORE: RTE's Marty Morrissey confirms he's the mystery star who kept 'loaned' car for five years
Mr Morrissey came out last night and put his hand up to say he had a free car from Renault on an ad hoc basis.
However, acting chief in RTE, Adrian Lynch, told the Media Committee on Wednesday that there was “possibly” more cars and that a forensic trawl of the broadcaster’s 1,800 staff was still ongoing.
And politicians were speculating wildly about other RTE stable stars who may be enjoying the perk of an unsanctioned car.
Last night, Labour media spokeswoman, Marie Sherlock, said: “This evening we have a statement from Marty Morrisey that brings into question evidence provided by acting DG Adrian Lynch yesterday at the Oireachtas Media Committee.
“Yesterday the DG informed the committee that said car was returned on Tuesday for the return of the vehicle in question, whereas the RTÉ Sports reporter identified a date in June in his statement.
“Frustratingly, this will generate a frenzy of speculation about what other car deals were agreed and is another sucker punch to staff.
“What is crucial here is that the drip feed of information and inconsistency of detail brings the RTÉ crisis into a new level of farce.
“This comes after RTÉ chair Siún NÍ Raghallaigh admitted yesterday that she suspects more revelations are to come.
“Incoming DG Kevin Bakhurst made a commitment today to execute a plan of action to move RTÉ out of crisis when he takes up the role next Monday.
“One of his first acts must be to re-affirm RTÉ editorial standards and conflict of interest guidelines. This must involve staff and management upholding these standards every single day.
“Over the past two weeks, we have learned of a serious absence of accountability and responsibility among some in RTÉ which is deeply shocking and damaging to RTÉ.”
