RTÉ new director general Kevin Bakhurst stands down executive board

RTÉ newly appointed director general Kevin Bakhurst has stood down the company’s executive board on his first day on the job, following undisclosed payments.

In an email to RTÉ colleagues, it was revealed the board for the Irish broadcaster will be replaced with a temporary interim leadership team, while the company recruits a new permanent leadership team.

Bakhurst replaces former irector general Dee Forbes who announced her resignation following a series of payments of €345,000 to presenter Ryan Tubridy. above his annual published salary between 2017 to 2022.

Bakhurst also announced going forward RTÉ will publish the salaries of the Executive/permanent Interim Leadership Team along with the earnings of RTÉ’s 10 highest paid presenters in our annual report every year, starting with Annual Report 2023.

In addition the company will launch a register of interests for staff and contractors, in consultation with the TUG. He also noted a change in culture at the PSB, where he work work with Eimear Cusack and HR to co-ordinate a review of roles and grades, pay, and gender equality.

The Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, Catherine Martin T.D has since orded an independent, root and branch examination into RTÉ.

In the email Bakhurst said, “Like you, I have been appalled by recent events and the impact it has had on the public perception of RTÉ, the impact on the trust the public places in us, and the impact it has had on you all.

“Change will be essential if we are to rebuild trust in public service broadcasting in Ireland and in RTÉ.

“There can be no repeat of the siloed and at times secretive decision-making that have been at the root of the shameful events of the past weeks. As custodians of public money, our financial integrity must be on a par with our editorial integrity.

“In the end, words aren’t enough on their own, and it is now time for action and change. I am absolutely determined to introduce that change and reform which will help us draw a line under this shameful period in RTÉ’s history and to start rebuilding trust in public service broadcasting, hour by hour and day by day. I believe that together we will. We must.