RTÉ Executives Protest €20 Million Budget Funding Cut
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst testified before a legislative committee after the government withheld €20 million in funding citing slow organizational reforms.
RTÉ executives appeared before the Oireachtas Media Committee on November 4, 2026, to address a €20 million funding shortfall in Budget 2027. The budget allocated 240 million euro to the broadcaster, failing to meet a previously agreed multi-year funding deal.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director General of RTÉ, testified that he was notified of the cut only three hours before the budget announcement. Bakhurst expressed shock and anger, asserting that the government should honor agreements made in black and white. While he acknowledged that the work of transformation is far from over, he highlighted that nearly 90% of Expert Advisory Committee recommendations have been implemented. Bakhurst explicitly ruled out mandatory redundancies despite the funding gap.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan cited dissatisfaction with the pace of reforms, particularly regarding staff reductions and the voluntary exit scheme, as a reason for the cut. However, Secretary-General Feargal Ó Coigligh clarified that the reduction was ultimately driven by the total quantum of money available to the department following government discussions, stating it was not the minister's preference to cut funding.
The committee also questioned the broadcaster on the recruitment and salary of podcast presenter Ger Gilroy. Executives admitted the RTÉ sports department was unhappy with the appointment and that the podcast initially lacked female representation.
