Ryan Tubridy and agent Noel Kelly's Oireachtas Committee hearing has been a fascinating watch this afternoon, with a large chunk of the population following the proceedings, which have escalated significantly over the last week.
Tubridy and Kelly offered themselves up for the hearing, and naturally were on the defensive over the entire RTE payments scandal, going heavy on the offensive against the national broadcaster, and painting themselves as the victims.
“I think that [RTE] statement of June 22 was very unhelpful in this regard," said Tubridy.
"The full truth was concealed. I take full responsibility for not asking more questions back on January 20, 2021 when the figures for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were released.
"I take responsibility for that. This has been my darkest hour both professionally and personally. I know the same is true for my agent and friend, Noel Kelly and his family."
Of course, Irish Twitter - not one to miss an opportunity such as this - was abuzz with creative meme production.
Irish Twitter Memes For #RTEgate
“It’s not like a football agent negotiating with Man United or Aston Villa…” 🤔 #RTEgate #RTE #tubridy #NoelKelly pic.twitter.com/bz3gYjJvVS
— R O N A N | W A R D 🦁🧑🏽💻🎭🇮🇪 (@ronanward) July 11, 2023
Me when @GalwayUnitedFC lose to @LongfordTownFC pic.twitter.com/hHgkZDHcYC
— Ronan Coleman (@coleman_ronan) July 12, 2023
Noel Kelly 😂#RTEgate pic.twitter.com/tVux3o3TQi
— Daryl Feehely (@dfeehely) July 11, 2023
Ryan Tubridy described as "the most trusted man in Ireland", sir, that is this man right here 😭 pic.twitter.com/ycn7V6T7hT
— Ellie Stone (@ellsdesign_) July 11, 2023
In some personal news, I'm happy to confirm that I am not THAT Peter Fitzpatrick.#RTEgate #tubridy
— Peter Fitz (@peterfitz_ie) July 11, 2023
Not now honey, mammy is watching Imelda Munster make shite of Noel Kelly on live television #RTEgate pic.twitter.com/4m0gxiG28K
— Jess Somerville (@buttmunchsomer) July 11, 2023
"Where did you work before ?"
"Cadburys."
"What were you selling for Cadburys?"
......
"Chocolate".
____________
Investigations at it's best #RTEgate
— David Doyle (@Doyle12David) July 11, 2023
READ HERE: Ryan Tubridy Suggests To Dáil Committee He Is Being 'Cancelled' Amid Payment Scandal
One of the speculations over the last few weeks was that Ryan Tubridy had left is job as host of the Late Late Show because of the incoming scandal.
However, he made it clear today that the two event were mutually exclusive.
"I made my initial decision to leave The Late Late Show almost a year ago," began Tubridy.
"Around this time, I mentioned it to those closest to me, my family and my agent. They were surprised, very surprised to say the least.
"I explained to them that, among other things, I had left a lot on the studio floor after Covid. I was burnt out and exhausted - like so many people in the country. I turned it over in my mind over a few months, but by the time I got to January, I was absolutely certain of my decision."
While some members of the Committee were accused of being soft towards Tubridy and Kelly, praise was heaped on former Mayo footballer and Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon for his strong line of questioning.
This committee is kidnapping the most trusted man in Ireland from the poor poor children of Ireland who are, at the end of the day, the real losers in all this. He just wanted to get extremely rich and read books with them. Who will read to them now? 🥺#RTEGate#OireachtasTV pic.twitter.com/IDblBnQwKp
— Niecy O'Keeffe (@NiecyOKeeffe) July 11, 2023
“Get cancelled, you won’t like it, believe me, you should try it sometime.”#RTEGate#OireachtasTV pic.twitter.com/KG51lrBoF7
— Niecy O'Keeffe (@NiecyOKeeffe) July 11, 2023
“It’s your job to know these things” - spanner thrown in the works as Roy Keane is drafted in by Oireachtas to quiz Noel Kelly#rtegate pic.twitter.com/ZFuoLSELOX
— WWN (@WhispersNewsLTD) July 11, 2023
SEE ALSO: Watch: The Viper Is Livestreaming Ryan Tubridy's Dáil Committee Appearance
