Siún Ní Raghallaigh has quit as Chair of the RTÉ Board.
Her resignation late last night came after an appearance by the Media Minister on Prime Time, during which Catherine Martin said Ms Ní Raghallaigh had 'misinformed' her twice this week in relation to RTÉ exit packages.
In a statement released overnight, the former Chair said she had not made an 'intentional misrepresentation', but it was clear the Minister no longer had confidence in her.
"Serving as Chair of the RTÉ Board is a privilege which requires the confidence of the Minister.
"It is abundantly clear that I no longer do. My resignation is a source of sadness to me, but it is unavoidable".
The Media Minster's thanked the former Chair of the RTE board for her work, saying her contribution to reform at the broadcaster has been 'significant'.
In a statement released this morning, Minister Martin, “At this critical time for RTÉ, it is imperative that we continue the important process of restoring trust in the organisation.
As Ms Ní Raghallaigh stated, there is an urgent need for the transformation process to continue and a sustainable funding model put in place – I am deeply committed to this.”
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst, described Siún Ní Raghallaigh as 'an excellent Chair', who would be sorely missed.
Labour party leader, Ivana Bacik, says Minister Catherine Martin now has questions to answer.
"It's rather shocking to see what amounted to a summary dismissal on-air by the Minister last night.
"I think the Minister now has questions to answer about why she didn't, why she moved in the way she did in this rather preemptory manner and why she didn't ask questions before".
Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Séamus Dooley, called on the Government to appoint another Chair to avoid uncertainty
"The resignation of the Chair is the latest twist in an ongoing saga which has gravely damaged morale of staff and undermined public confidence.
"The ongoing failure of successive governments to reform the funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland has contributed to the crisis in RTÉ".
