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Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Outsourcing' RTÉ shows will put licence payers' money in private hands, committee to hear
RTÉ's decision to move the production of programmes like Fair City and the Late Late Show to outside companies is a case of putting more licence payers' money 'into the pockets of private-for-profit entities', an Oireachtas committee is expected to hear, and will lead to fewer long-term careers in Irish television and radio. Representatives from the RTÉ group of trade unions – comprising the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) , Siptu, Connect and Unite – will appear before the joint Oireachtas committee on media on Tuesday. The committee is scrutinising the Government's Broadcasting Amendment Bill, which, among other things, would require RTÉ to spend a quarter of its annual public funding on programming commissioned from the private sector. Trevor Keegan, co-chairman of the RTÉ trade union group, is also expected to tell committee members that unions were not consulted before the State broadcaster's recent decision to shelve its religious affairs programming department. How the wealthy are buying up land to avoid inheritance tax Listen | 22:03 In May, the broadcaster announced plans to switch production of some religious programming – specifically, 'Christian worship content' – to the private sector. Asked about the decision at the committee in May, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst denied that the organisation is phasing out religious programming altogether but said it hoped to get a better quality of product. READ MORE The union group is expected to tell the committee that the department, the 'latest casualty' of cost-cutting at the broadcaster, has 'effectively been shut down'. Meanwhile, the decision to move production of the Late Late Show and Fair City to private companies, which was first mooted last summer, is creating 'worries and fears' among workers in Montrose. Mr Bakhurst has previously denied that this amounts to the privatisation of RTÉ programming and said it would be 'commissioning' the programmes from third parties instead, as it does for other programming. He also previously challenged the unions' use of the word 'outsourcing' in this case. Mr Keegan will say that the group of unions does not object to improving the independent sector, but objects to the 'displacement of safe employment with defined career paths and security of tenure'. Aside from some larger firms, much independent programming is created by workers on short-term contracts with 'fragile protections' and this model is not 'conducive to long-term careers in TV and radio production'. The 'farming out' of programming 'is simply putting more licence payers' money into the pockets of private for-profit entities', the committee is expected to hear. The union group will also express disappointment with the Government's decision to 'ignore' the Future of Media Commission's recommendation to abolish the licence fee and fund public service broadcasting through the exchequer. Siptu, meanwhile, will tell the committee that the Bill is an important opportunity to protect the future of public service broadcasting in the State. However, mandating RTÉ to spend at least 25 per cent of its public funding on privately produced programming 'could become a mechanism for outsourcing RTÉ production', Adrian Kane, Siptu services divisional organiser, will tell committee members, unless 'properly safeguarded'. The union's position is that increased funding should support new content and employment, 'not a reallocation of work' done by RTÉ workers, Mr Kane will say.
BreakingNews.ie
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Joe Duffy: I am not seeking presidency
Former RTÉ presenter Joe Duffy has emphasised he is not seeking a nomination to become the next president of Ireland. Duffy's name had been floated as a potential candidate for the office in a number of media reports. Advertisement The Ballyfermot broadcaster, 69, retired at the end of June after 37 years at RTÉ Radio One and 27 years presenting Liveline. On Saturday, following increased speculation about his next steps, Duffy posted on social media: 'Thanks, but to be absolutely clear I am not seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of President of Ireland. 'I will not be adding anything further.' Thanks , but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians , local or national, for the office of @PresidentIRL I will not be adding anything further . @Independent_ie @IrishTimes @irishdailymail @IrishSunOnline @rtenews @irishexaminer @thejournal_ie — JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) July 5, 2025 While some hopefuls have declared an interest, no candidate for the presidency has been formally nominated ahead of the election. Advertisement A presidential election is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before the term of Michael D Higgins ends on November 11th. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Former or retiring Presidents can nominate themselves. Advertisement
Irish Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Love you all, it's been a privilege': Joe Duffy presents last Liveline as he retires from RTÉ
The Taoiseach and President led tributes to Joe Duffy as he presented his last Liveline programme on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday. The veteran presenter is retiring from the station after 37 years, signing off as one of the most influential and popular broadcasters in Irish media. He has hosted Liveline, which frequently attracted more than 400,000 listeners, since 1998. During a special live show on Friday afternoon, RTÉ's Shay Byrne read out a message from President Michael D Higgins , who praised Duffy's 'lifelong commitment to justice, equality and public service'. The President extended 'the warmest of thanks on behalf of the Irish people for your remarkable contribution to public life, one that you have shaped with empathy, insight and an unwavering commitment to the voices of ordinary people'. READ MORE He continued: 'Through your work, you have borne witness to the struggles and triumphs of the Irish people, often giving voice to those on the margins and creating a space in which silence could be broken and solidarity expressed, reminding us that behind every headline is a human story, reminding us too that our society is strengthened by the lived experiences of its people.' Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin called in to the show, telling Duffy: 'You were and are the voice of the people.' Noting how influential the programme was, Martin said there were many afternoons where a civil servant would run into his office saying a certain topic was 'on fire' on Liveline, meaning the Government would have to 'do this, that and the other'. Martin said he and Duffy go way back, saying: 'You taught me a few things when I was a student activist.' Before Duffy quipped: 'You forgot them quick enough then.' On a more personal note, Martin thanked Duffy for his 'extraordinary' acts of kindness, adding: 'That has touched our family quite a lot.' Recalling how they were both at a crab fishing competition in Courtmacsherry in Co Cork years ago, Martin said that Duffy had, unbeknown to him, taken photos of him holding his young daughter Leana while they looked out to sea. The Taoiseach said it was 'one of the last great days' his family had with Leana, who died in 2010 from a cardiac condition when she was just seven years old. After Leana died, Duffy sent him the photos. 'That's something [my wife] Mary and I have always treasured, and we thank you,' Martin said. [ Micheál Martin: 'You will always say you have the kids you lost' Opens in new window ] At the start of the show, Duffy noted he wasn't 'allowed' into the studio until 'about two minutes' before they went on air. There were many familiar faces in the crowd including long-time friends and colleagues Brenda Donohue and June Rodgers, and several Liveline listeners who the show helped over the years. Duffy joked that he recognised a number of people in the audience from Crime Call. Live music was performed by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band and the Camembert Quartet, who opened the show with a special rendition of Thank You for Being a Friend, among others. Duffy noted the Liveline would be open as normal on Monday, even if he wasn't there. Signing off for the last time, he kept it short and sweet: 'Love you all, it's been a privilege.'
