The anonymity given to most RTÉ executives and board members in an independent report on Toy Show The Musical has been lifted following calls for accountability.
The report into the musical, which recorded a €2.2 million loss after a single season in 2022, found that the proposal had required board approval – but it was not sought or provided.
It also found there was “no justification” for the way the broadcaster recorded €75,000 in advertising money and that the musical would have struggled to break even under the proposed number of shows.
Grant Thornton, who compiled the report into the musical, did not publish any names and referred to those interviewed in the report as ‘Person 1’ through to ‘Person 26’.
This was met with criticism from various quarters, including from Minister for Media Catherine Martin, who said “you find yourself as you’re reading it nearly trying to work out who was who”.
On Tuesday, the board said the Minister and two Oireachtas committees had requested that the anonymity given would be lifted.
RTÉ then asked Grant Thornton if it could facilitate these requests.
“Grant Thornton subsequently contacted each individual included in the report to ask if they would consent to their anonymity being removed,” it said.
Twenty of those who were interviewed agreed to their names being included in the report.
“In line with its standard practice, the names of staff below executive level in RTÉ will continue to be redacted.”
RTÉ board members are due to appear before the media committee on Wednesday afternoon and “are happy to discuss” the Toy Show The Musical report.
