A chara, – There is no doubt that Noel Kelly’s job is to get the best deal for his client, Ryan Tubridy. However, by ceding control of negotiations to Kelly, Ryan Tubridy needs to understand the reputational damage he has suffered by the accounting procedures followed by Kelly’s companies which facilitated RTÉ's requests to invoice for consultancy fees rather than Tubridy’s wages.
By forcing RTÉ to underwrite the Renault deal, both Kelly and RTÉ surely understood that the broadcaster was exposed in a way that cost the taxpayer. And, for that, blame lies with both parties.
Finally, whether by accident or design, the tardiness with which Tubridy and Kelly submitted their documentation to the PAC hampered the committee members in their ability to question the pair effectively, a point highlighted by the abysmal efforts of Deputies Peter Fitzpatrick and Mattie McGrath. – Is mise,
JOHN KELLY,
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Bennekerry,
Co Carlow.
A chara, – Ryan Tubridy’s claim that he “could be out of a job by Friday” (“Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly seek to put spotlight back on RTÉ, but questions remain”, July 12th) is rubbish as the presenter didn’t have a “job” with RTÉ; he was an independent contractor who had a business arrangement.
In accusing RTÉ executives of “misleading the public and the Oireachtas”, Tubridy is desperately seeking to draw attention away from the fact that the root of the controversy is his overestimation of his own worth. He wanted more and was not particularly concerned about what means the broadcaster used to achieve this. – Is mise,
GREG SCANLON,
Shannon,
Co Clare.
Sir, – Jim Yates (Letters, July 12th) writes “Ask the public who they would trust or believe, Ryan or politicians, and we all know what the answer would be.” Really?
The tired, popular and lazy narrative that politicians are dishonest, incompetent, showboating and grandstanding is beyond tedious.
Having watched the Oireachtas hearings into the RTÉ fiasco, it was clear many of the politicians asked incisive and pertinent questions to many of which the answers were obfuscatory and far from convincing.
Dislike or disdain for those asking the questions does not diminish the legitimacy of the questions or the need to establish the truth. – Yours etc,
PJ McDERMOTT,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – So in addition to all its current misery, RTÉ is also a “big bully” while Noel Kelly, Mr Tubridy’s agent, is the “little man”. The Britannica Dictionary defines the little man as an ordinary person who is not wealthy, famous or powerful. Little wonder then that Mr Kelly does what RTÉ tells him without question. Furthermore, it must save RTÉ (and the taxpayer) a fortune to have such a compliant broker representing so many of its “talent” staff. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – With the seven material untruths, the specifics of those barter accounts and the knowledge that Noel Kelly had once worked as a salesman with Cadbury, it’s no wonder I was left in a Twirl! – Yours, etc,
PETER MADDEN,
London.
Sir, – Fair play to that committee member who said; “I’ll pass. Other members have already asked my questions.” Oh sorry, I just dreamt that. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN DOYLE,
Dunshaughlin.
Sir, – I’m sure Ryan Tubridy’s expression of remorse at the PAC was heartfelt. But I’m curious if he was sorry a month ago, before all of this came out, or if he only felt sorrow after he was, as we used to say in school, caught rapid? – Yours, etc,
COLIN C MURPHY,
Terenure,
Co Dublin.