Sky's the limit for news team
The half-hour transmissions will be anchored by the former TV3 and TG4 newscaster, Gráinne Seoige, and a team of about 20 journalists, camera crew and studio technicians who have previously worked with other TV and radio stations in Ireland.
They include correspondents Ray Kennedy and Brian Daly, video journalists Jerome Hughes and Jonathan Healy and West of Ireland bureau chief Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, who will be stationed in Limerick.
The Dublin staff, which will be based at a studio in Earlsfort Terrace, will also work closely with the Sky News bureau in Northern Ireland headed up by Gary Honeyford and David Blevins.
The bulletins, which will be broadcast at 7pm and 10pm from Monday to Friday, will cover news, sport and weather across the country.
Sky News will also screen a Review of the Week at the same time slots on Saturdays and Sundays.
The entry of the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sky News to the Irish market will increase competition between Sky, RTÉ and TV3 to attract advertisers for the traditionally high audience figures which main news bulletins attract.
"This is an extremely exciting time for the team. Everyone on board is very talented and dedicated to delivering a first-rate news service to our viewers," said Ms Seoige during a photocall to announce the new service in Dublin yesterday.
The Sky News Ireland team has already begun practice broadcasts, with Sky journalists attending several major events since the start of the month, such as the Taoiseach's recent appearance at the Planning Tribunal.
Over two-thirds of all households in the Republic will be capable of receiving the Sky News Ireland bulletins via cable/MMDS or satellite. About 250,000 Sky digital subscribers will also be able to access the programmes throughout the evening at any time after 7.30pm by activating Sky News Active by pressing the red button on their remote control.
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