Dee Forbes has resigned as Director General of RTÉ.
In a statement this morning, Forbes confirmed she has resigned from her role with immediate effect.
Her resignation comes just days after she was suspended following the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal. Last week, it was revealed that the broadcaster was paid €345,000 more than declared over a six-year period.
However, Forbes claims she knew nothing about the additional payments.
In her statement, the former Director General said she regrets the upset caused by this scandal.
“As Director General, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation. I’m tendering my resignation to RTÉ with immediate effect.”
“I understand from media reports and RTÉ’s statement that the Board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments.
“The Board has not raised those questions with me,” she stressed.
Forbes continued, “I want to reiterate that I have engaged fully with the Board during this process. However, the Board has not treated me with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity, and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague, or a person. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and well-being.”
“I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that, I apologise unreservedly to everyone,” she added.
“I care very deeply about RTÉ, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster, and its reputation.”
Forbes added, “I will continue to do so as RTÉ moves forward under the new Director General.”
You can read Dee Forbes’ full statement here.
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