RTÉ is today publishing a statistical summary from the Register of External Activities for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The RTÉ Register of External Activities (‘the Register’) commenced on 01 February 2024 and the publication for Q4 comprises the months October, November and December 2024.

Statistical summary: 

Total Number of approved activities: 116

Breakdown of percentage (*) activities within each payment band:

• 52%: No Payment/no benefit
• 31%: €1 – €1,000
• 16%: €1,001 – €5,000
• 0:  €5,001 – €10,000
• <1%: Over €10,000

* (% are rounded)

The Q4 data from the Register is consistent with Q1, Q2 and Q3 where half of all external activities approved by line management divisions involve no payment or benefit to those working with RTÉ.

Almost one third of approved external activities in Q4 are for less than €1,000, with just over 16% in the €1,001 – €5,000 band, none in the next band and less than 1% in the over €10,000 band.

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst commented: “RTÉ has now published a statistical summary for the Register of External Activities for each of the four quarters of 2024.

It is a matter of public record that the Data Protection Commission informed RTÉ that specific legislation would be required to publish a more detailed summary of the Register. That is now being considered by Government.

In the interim, the Data Protection Commission has not objected to RTÉ publishing a statistical summary of activities in the banded system. I am satisfied that this, albeit limited disclosure, has nonetheless provided a level of public transparency that was never previously available.

It is notable that the data for the full year of 2024 demonstrate that half the approved activities relate to events where those working with RTÉ give freely of their time for charitable, sporting, community, academic and social reasons. Most activities are for less than €1,000.“

ENDS