Nolan calls for corporate authority probe into RTÉ controversy

Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan has said she has written to the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) to seek clarity on the possibility of the authority initiating an investigation into the payments scandal currently engulfing the national broadcaster, RTÉ.

Deputy Nolan said that she saw no reason in principle why the CEA should not do so as a competent statutory authority.

The Independent TD said that it was manifestly clear that there were numerous breachers of good corporate governance at the national broadcaster following revelations that at least €1.25m went through a so-called ‘barter account’ for corporate hospitality.

Nolan said: “The entire reason the CEA was set up was to bring about a greater level of compliance with company law.”

“In light of that I think the CEA should be asked to initiate an investigation into RTÉ given that it has significant powers to adjudicate upon whether public protection considerations warrant a director, or a board, being restricted or disqualified from certain roles in a company.”

“We need full transparency on this scandal and we need to utilise every accountability mechanism available to the state to bring that about in the shortest time possible,” concluded Deputy Nolan.