Public sentiment towards RTÉ and the reaction to the controversy which emerged at the broadcaster last June is continuing to clearly impact licence fee sales and the revenue generated from them, the Department of Media said in a statement this evening.The most up-to-date total monthly figures for TV licences from An Post show 75,183 licences were purchased in January this year and 61,601 were purchased in February.Total TV licences sales recorded by An Post in 2023 were 824,278 compared with 947,924 in 2022, a reduction of 13% or a decline in revenue of more that €19 million.The initial figures for 2024 suggest this trend could continue.Meanwhile, Minister for Media Catherine Martin met the new RTÉ Board Chair today.Terence O'Rourke, former KPMG managing partner, has replaced former chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh.Ms Ní Raghallaigh resigned last month after the minister failed to express confidence in her.She said later in a statement that the manner of what she called her "enforced dismissal" had been designed to "traduce" her reputation.Ms Martin described today's meeting with the new chair and RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst as a "very positive engagement".She said they had discussed the importance of continuing the programme of reform at RTÉ "and the priority of putting in place a sustainable funding model for RTÉ and public service media in Ireland".She said they had agreed on the necessity of working together to respond to the recommendations published by the Public Accounts Committee this week, and to the two independent Expert Advisory Committee reports that Ms Martin has commissioned.Ms Martin added: "I am looking forward to working with the chair and the board in progressing the major reform agenda underway in the organisation."The Director General outlined some of that reform agenda in a meeting with staff at RTÉ yesterday when he updated them on the progression of the Willis Towers Watson review.He told them he wanted RTÉ to be a better place to work with more transparency around salaries and clear career paths.The broadcaster appointed Willis Towers Watson to carry out a full evaluation of the role and grading structure in the organisation, which is ongoing.
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