No more ‘deals on wheels’ for RTÉ stars after bosses tighten governance rules on ‘freebies’

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.

They were reminded they would have to declare gifts worth more than €50, and those worth more than €100 should not be accepted at all.

If a gift worth more than €100 was accepted, staff were told it would have to be declared and become the property of RTÉ.

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.

An RTÉ spokesperson said: “Arrangements for staff and contractors may vary depending on their role and on the number of hours worked for RTÉ.

“While contractors and staff members are permitted to pursue projects and interests outside of RTÉ, these must be declared to establish any potential conflicts of interest and approved by management.”

Presenters who are sent free gifts worth more than €100 by brands hoping to have their products featured on a presenter’s Instagram would also have to give them back, or have them become the property of RTÉ.

Given the example of a presenter who might be sent an unsolicited gift of make-up by a brand hoping to be featured on the presenter’s social media, RTÉ said: “In the make-up example, the answer is generally yes – it must be returned, or if it must be accepted, it will become the property of RTÉ.

“Unless this is part of an arrangement with a brand or organisation which has been previously declared and, if necessary, approved.”

The registers of gifts and conflicts of interest were already in place at RTÉ and have been updated with the new financial thresholds and forms circulated to staff.

Mr Bakhurst said: “Any gift with a realistic valuation of over €100 should not be accepted. If it must be accepted, then it is declared and becomes the property of RTÉ.

“A gift is defined as anything given to a member of staff or contractor arising from their work for RTÉ for which they do not pay fair market value.

“This includes the provision of ser­vices, tickets for events and entertainment.”

Mr Bakhurst told staff the requirements were already in place in RTÉ’s code of conduct and the new systems “are an important part of a renewed commitment to governance in RTÉ”.

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.