Catherine Martin

The broadcaster’s director-general Dee Forbes resigned this morning, having been suspended last week shortly after RTÉ admitted that Mr Tubridy was paid €345,000 more than previously disclosed from 2017 to 2022.

In a statement on Saturday, the tourism, culture, arts, Gaeltacht, sport and media minister Catherine Martin said the saga had “caused untold damage to RTÉ’s reputation and to public service broadcasting more generally”.

Warning that the “revelations signal potential deeper challenges in the organisation”, the minister said she had “therefore decided there needs to be an external review of governance and culture at RTÉ”.

Ms Martin said: “The purpose of this review will be to determine what fundamental or systemic issues need to be addressed, including the adequacy of internal controls.

“While as minister I cannot get involved in the day to day operation of RTÉ, I do need assurance that the governance and culture is fit for purpose.

“Public trust in RTE must be rebuilt. Therefore, a government decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting has been paused until such time as this review is complete and the findings considered.

“My officials will develop terms of reference in this regard over the coming week, and I will expect the full co-operation of the RTÉ board and senior executives in engaging with this review and in engaging with Oireachtas committees in the coming period.”