RTE axes Prime Time Investigates as head of news retires

Ed Mulhall has retired as head of RTE's news and current affairs.

The announcement follows the completion of an investigation by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland into a Prime Time Investigates programme, 'A Mission to Prey'.

Ken O'Shea has announced that he has resigned from his post as Editor of Current Affairs in RTE.

He is being transferred to a new position in television.

The Director General of RTE Noel Curran said the station "must deal on an onoing basis with issues which clearly arise in respect of current affairs programming and with important decisions which have been taken in recent weeks at personnel level".

He said Prime Time Investigates will not return to air and there is to be a full restructuring of Television Current Affairs management and structures in line with improved editorial controls.

Staff are also to be training in new journalism guidelines which have been developed in recent months,

An external investigation board is also being established to conduct an investigation into all personnel matters arising in respect of the 'Mission to Prey' programme.