Dee Forbes, the former director general of RTÉ, has been photographed socializing in West Cork, marking her first public appearance since her departure from the organization in June 2023 amid the RTÉ payments scandal. The photographs, taken at Hayes' gastropub in Glandore, show Forbes with her partner, Dennis Horgan, and friends.
John Brady, the chair of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC), stated that if Forbes is in good health, her testimony is crucial for resolving the ongoing investigations into RTÉ's financial irregularities. He likened her absence to "Hamlet without the prince," emphasizing her key oversight role during a period of significant financial issues at the broadcaster.
"Should she co-operate with inquiries, her evidence will play a critical role in bringing finality to a saga that has gone on too long and done serious damage," Brady said. "As Chairperson I am eager to ensure that our ongoing investigations come to finality as swiftly as possible. This scandal has now occupied two separate Dáils and issues are still coming to light."
Forbes has consistently cited ill health as her reason for not appearing before Dáil committees to answer questions about the scandals. She has also declined offers to submit written accounts. The controversies during her tenure include a reported €345,000 payment to Ryan Tubridy, lavish corporate entertainment, and lucrative exit packages for executives.
Government officials and members of the Oireachtas Media Committee have echoed the call for Forbes to engage with the inquiries. Michael Carrigy, a Fine Gael TD and member of the Media Committee, noted that unanswered questions remain, most of which only Forbes can address. "When it comes to that scandalous era there can only be finality when these questions are answered by Ms Forbes," Carrigy stated. "Hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money has been spent bailing out RTÉ, hundreds of millions continue to be spent, and Ms Forbes should explain how we got there."
Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, also on the Media Committee, suggested that new information about Forbes's availability would be considered and that her testimony would be helpful. "I think it would be very helpful if she came forward now. There are still unanswered questions and it would help the committee hugely to speak with her."
Forbes's departure from RTÉ followed revelations about undisclosed payments and financial mismanagement, which led to extensive scrutiny by Oireachtas committees and a significant loss of public trust in the national broadcaster. Despite ongoing investigations and considerable taxpayer funding directed towards RTÉ, many questions surrounding the financial dealings during Forbes's leadership remain unresolved.
Forbes has reportedly been seen in various public places in recent months, including a luxury department store and a hotel. A spokesperson for Forbes, Paul Bradley of Fleishman Hillard, did not provide a comment when contacted by the Irish Mail on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a member of RTÉ's National Union of Journalists branch expressed frustration, stating, "It’s very hard to believe these people are too sick to answer questions when they’re pictured at a party or the pub."