RTÉ grilled by Oireachtas committee over €20m funding cut and hiring

The arts and media Oireachtas committee questioned RTÉ on the €20 million funding cut announced by media minister Patrick O’Donovan and on the hiring of sports broadcaster Ger Gilroy for a new podcast.

Senator Evanne Ní Chuillin and TDs Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, Alan Kelly and Brian Brennan expressed doubt over RTÉ’s explanation that staff were invited to express interest before a hiring committee selected Gilroy, who had not initially applied, and was later asked to submit an application.

Director General Kevin Bakhurst said he learned of the funding reduction only three hours before the budget was finalised. Department of Communications secretary general Feargal Ó Coigligh rejected claims that O’Donovan targeted RTÉ because it was an “easy target”.

Deputy director general Adrian Lynch noted that RTÉ is on track to meet its redundancy target, having seen 67 staff leave via a voluntary exit programme last year and a further 30 departures through resignation or retirement, saving around €7.5 million in salary costs.

RTÉ also discussed the €14 million cost of producing the flagship soap Fair City, with consideration being given to moving the series to an independent production company, a decision that will be taken to the board.

Senator Ní Chuillin highlighted that the first two weeks of Gilroy’s “Howler” podcast featured no women’s voices, remarking “It’s 2026”.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Zhengyang TIAN / Pexels.