CORRUPTION PERSONIFED IN RTE

The time has come to put an end to this sick joke of so-called governance at RTE. Bakhurst has proved that he is just as corrupt and steeped in cronyism as his predecessors. He should be immediately sacked and all the others who have milked and robbed the Irish taxpayer - informed - that if every cent of their ill gotten gains is not handed back - they they will be reported to the police and lengthy Jail sentences sought.??

Particular attention should be paid to the liar, Bakhurst and his contempt for the Irish People. While proclaiming that he was here to sort out RTE He continued paying back-handers to people who should have been drummed out in disgrace and - who in no way deserving of a golden handshake.?

The old saying ‘fool me once, your fault - fool me twice, my fault’, comes to mind. He claimed at the PAC, that - “in the interests of transparency he will clarify matters”, then does no such thing. Among his cover up statements designed to protect the well-paid elite, is his claim that “Rory’s role became redundant [and an exit payment was offered and accepted by Rory". [Sic]?He doesn't even try to hide his sycophantic behaviour.

He continues. “Following independent mediation, Richard Collins, RTE’s former chief financial officer departed RTE by mutual agreement, with a binding confidentiality clause that was agreed by both sides and in the interest of fairness and respect cannot be breached. As I have said before, in relation to all the exits, I have sought an update on the legal advice previously received”.

THIS IS UTTER SELF SERVING NONSENSE.?

Firstly, why were these exit packages not above board - why were they and the amounts paid kept secret? And secondly - [if] independent mediation was sought in Relation to Richard Collins, from whom was it given - and why? This had nothing to do with anyone only RTE and Richard Collins??

Furthermore, it seems that Bakhurst is only too willing to take ‘legal advice’ which facilitates - paying - nay rewarding the people being let go - for sheer incompetence. Why is this allowed to happen? Where is the Law in respect to white collar crime? When Joe Soap can be rightly punished for robbing the taxpayer how can the upper echelons of Irish Society do so with impunity? Is it because they’re friends of Bakhursts. Why did he not question the supposed ‘legal advice and binding confidentially clause’? Surely no lawyer even in Ireland would dare suggest - that - in view of this obvious criminally the so-called binding agreements would or could still be in force, and lawful.

Even without criminal charges being made in respect of the people concerned, why give them taxpayers money when they are being effectually being sacked? Again, this makes null and void and so-called confidentially. What Bakhurst should have done, was tell these people and their bluffing - high-flyers lawyers, your clients are not getting a cent of an exit package and if you and they think otherwise - sue me.?

What RTE must do now - is sack everyone involved in paying and receiving these scandalous payments - and - by a given date if the money is not repaid, then the police shall be called in. This is the only thing that will bring credence and respect back into Public Broadcasting.

Only when this happens will the Investigations department that was set up by Bakhurst - when he was last with RTE - eventually investigate the case of the dead and dying Belfast Dockers - from Asbestos - that the wealthy and corrupt in RTE are stopping from becoming public knowledge. The reasons are plain to see. Dead and dying working class people in Belfast and Dublin don't cost the well paid wealthy in Ireland - a thought.

Hugh Murphy