RTÉ funding reform some way off, Catherine Martin tells Dáil

She is awaiting two further reports due next month and these "will provide a basis for further actions by RTÉ," she said.

"Further reform is required," she added, in order to achieve that trust -- after which Government would decide whether or not to abolish the TV licence or otherwise restructure the funding of RTÉ.

"I do not think the public or Government could agree to a new funding model for RTÉ without the assurance that there is a robust and appropriate governance framework," she said.

Minister Martin addressed the question of why she did not pick up the phone to the chair of RTÉ before going on Prime Time and failing to express confidence in her.

Ms Martin said that to make contact that way with Siún Ní Raghallaigh was "quite problematic" because of inaccurate information given in the past and what the chair had "imagined" she had said.

"I believed it was essential not to rely on a phone call. There was emerging issues on the Thursday where I was being told that the the former chair had imagined that she had said something in a phone call.

"And so I certainly wasn't only going to have a phone call with the former chair and I also believe it was significant enough that it required a face to face meeting."

She added that in her Prime Time interview, "I did everything in my power not to go there, not to say I had no confidence.

"I was trying to keep the door open and I kept repeating I wanted to afford the opportunity to speak to the chair in person.

"So I tried everything in my power to keep that door open and not say no confidence."

Imelda Munster TD for Sinn Féin called on the Minister to set out the specific timeframe for the future funding decision.

"If you are being blocked in your decision by your Government colleagues then you need to be upfront and say that," she said.

As Sinn Féin reminded her that a report on the Future of Media had been on her desk since January of last year, Ms Martin emphasised that trust was critical.

"Trust not only between our broadcaster and its audience, but also between an important national institution and the public, the representatives in the Oireachtas and this Government."

The expert advisory committees are finalising the reports (on governance and culture; and contractor fees and HR ), she said.

"I expect to receive them in March. I expect they will contain a comprehensive list of recommendations on the steps that need to be taken to restore trust in RTÉ."

"Further reform and transformation will be required. The rebuilding of trust will also be dependent on RTÉ demonstrating continued progress and implementation of their own reforms – and a commitment to implementing the recommendations of the expert advisory committees."

Former Labour Party leader Alan Kelly said the Minister's handling of the issues "wasn't good" and revealed he had thought as much since she equivocated early on as regards whether people should pay their TV licence.

The fact that she wasn't told of particular issues was "a red card offence", he agreed, but the Minister had "poured petrol on the fire.

"This is really unprecedented -- but it is of your own making," he said.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - February 28th

The real question is whether the board of RTÉ now has confidence in Media minister Catherine Martin, Deputy Kelly said.

Last week the minister was "nearly out the gap" on the RTÉ crisis, he said, but "you decided to put yourself into the middle of it.

"You have now put yourself in a situation where it's either you or the future of RTÉ, and that's very unfortunate. It should never have come to this."

"How in the name of God can a new chair be appointed who will have confidence that you are going to be able to deal with them and do it in a way that they will be able to do their work?

"This is the real question facing this house. And it's the real question facing the people out there who are looking at this today.

"Because ultimately, given your actions and the way in which this has been managed by your Department, and your hands-off approach, It has now come down to that – whether it is the future of RTÉ or you continuing at the head of this sinking ship.

"And unfortunately there is only one decision based on that analysis."

Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats agreed on the need for the minister to now have a 'hands on' approach.

She said the minister did not need to wait for the two reports yet to come before taking action, or to prevaricate about taking RTÉ under the wing of the Comptroller and Auditor General.