The crisis at RTÉ, which began with revelations around secret payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy but has since widened, demanded a strong response from the government.
In announcing two "root and branch" reviews into the state broadcaster, media minister Catherine Martin has taken an important step towards addressing public anger at how key aspects of RTÉ have been run.
It is, however, perhaps regrettable that the reviews may not be completed until next spring, with a timeline of six months from the end of August.
Public confidence in RTÉ has been severely damaged by the scandal; the organisation's output plays a central role in the life of people across Ireland and it is essential that it can be fully trusted.
Nor should it be overlooked that the public, through the licence fee, directly provide 55 per cent of RTÉ's income; it has a right to expect the broadcaster to be transparent and accountable.
Ms Martin's first step, using her powers under the Broadcasting Act 2009, will be to appoint a forensic accountant to examine RTÉ's books, in particular the controversial so-called barter account.
This is the undisclosed €1.25 million fund which was used to pay for lavish hospitality and trips for RTÉ executives, their families and advertisers. Tubridy's salary was also topped up from this account.
The accountant's findings will help inform the work of the two reviews into specific aspects of how RTÉ is run.
The first will focus on any failures or weaknesses in its corporate governance or organisational culture.
The second will look at contractor fees and HR practices, including how RTÉ hires presenters and uses agents – another area of controversy in the Tubridy payments.
It is important that the review panels are able to conduct their tasks as thoroughly as possible. While the inevitably detailed work involved will take some time to complete, it is also vital that it is completed as quickly as practicable.
The reviews have the potential to help build a stronger RTÉ, and trusted by its viewers and listeners. There has also been a breach of trust between RTÉ management and staff; that too must be healed.
As Ms Martin put it, the RTÉ revelations "have been shattering - they have been an affront to everything that public service broadcasting is meant to stand for".
Public service broadcasting – including the BBC as well as RTÉ – has a unique role in our democracy. Care must be taken to protect its values and ideals, and how it should contribute positively and responsibly to public discourse.
