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RTÉ stars will have to return or forfeit gifts over €100 in new crackdown

In the wake of the payments controversy last year, it emerged that some of RTÉ’s most popular presenters had been given cars worth more than €70,000.

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RTÉ will impose strict new governance rules concerning gifts given to contractors.

The national broadcaster said it was “unlikely any would benefit from a free car, unless it was part of a deal that had been approved by their station bosses”.

Presenters who are sent gifts worth more than €100 by brands in the hope of social media coverage will also be obliged to give them back or hand them over to RTÉ.

In the wake of the payments controversy last year, it emerged that some of RTÉ’s most popular presenters had been given cars worth more than €70,000.

Dermot Bannon, Kathryn Thomas, Lottie Ryan, Baz Ashmawy, Anna Geary, Carl Mullan and Doireann Garrihy had all benefited from “ambassador” roles with car brands, with some being given a variety of new cars to drive over a number of years.

Yesterday, director general Kevin Bakhurst wrote to staff to announce a new formal register of gifts.

When asked whether this meant RTÉ would end up owning cars gifted to some of its most high-profile presenters, a spokesman said a presenter being given a car was now “unlikely”, due to the updated governance arrangements and guidelines now in place.

The only situation where this would happen would be “part of an arrangement with a brand or organisation that has previously been declared and, if necessary, approved”.

Some of RTÉ’s most high-profile presenters have carved out parallel earning opportunities as social media influencers.

RTÉ News reported that another form was sent to staff for the declaration of conflicts of interest for situations where the work of an RTÉ staff member might be influenced or “seen by a reasonable person” to be influenced.

“Given the nature of the work of RTÉ, it is important that any conflicts or potential conflicts which may bring into question RTÉ’s impartiality are declared immediately,” Mr Bakhurst said.

This “does not mean you will not be able to fulfil your work in RTÉ, nor will it harm your career prospects in any way”, he added.

“It is merely designed to ensure RTÉ is aware of any conflicts or potential conflicts and can manage the situation appropriately.”

A register of interests and a register of external activities were launched for RTÉ staff in January.