Dee Forbes, the RTÉ director general who on Wednesday was suspended amid the ongoing scandal surrounding undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy, has said that she is "proud" of her contribution to the national broadcaster throughout her tenure.
The outgoing director general, who worked with RTÉ for the past seven years, added in her statement that Thursday was "an extremely difficult day" for those who cared for the organisation.
The Drimoleague native, who lives in Glandore, was already due to step down from her role next month, and was on a salary of €225,000, alongside a car allowance of €25,000 and pension contributions of €56,000.
READ MORE: Who is Dee Forbes? The now suspended RTE Director General who has impressive salary
In a statement released on Friday following RTÉ's revelation that she was to be suspended, Forbes said via a spokesperson: "In response to the statements issued yesterday and today by the RTÉ Board I would like to make the following points.
"I have been fully engaged with the Board since this matter arose in the course of the audit of the accounts.
"When asked in April 2023, I participated in the review conducted by Grant Thornton to determine the full circumstances and facts surrounding two specific payments to fulfil a contractual obligation for the years 2021 and 2022.
"Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us who care so deeply about the organisation and the impact of these issues is a matter of profound regret."
Forbes added: "I am proud of my contribution to RTÉ over the past seven years. Throughout my tenure as director general, I have always prioritised what I believe are the best interests of the organisation, in order to best serve the public.
"This includes pursuing a difficult cost-cutting agenda as part of implementing a wider strategic agenda, all while navigating the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. I will be making no further public comment at this time."
Forbes' statement comes as former Late Late Show host Tubridy revealed that RTÉ decided he should not present his radio show next week.
In a statement on Friday, Tubridy also said the salary "issue" had nothing to do with his retirement from the talk show.
