'Tangible' signs of reform at RTÉ, Oireachtas Committee to hear 

Director general Kevin Bakhurst will tell TDs and senators RTÉ is pursuing 'ambitious change in how we serve audiences and how we run the organisation'. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

There are "tangible" signs of reform at RTÉ, the broadcaster's chiefs will tell an Oireachtas committee on Wednesday.

RTÉ chiefs will face questioning from the Arts, Culture, and Media committee on the pace of its reforms. The speed with which RTÉ is reforming was cited as a reason for media minister Patrick O'Donovan withholding €20m of agreed funding in last month's Budget.

In its opening statement to be delivered on Wednesday, RTÉ will seek to outline how it has reformed since questions over governance arose in 2024.

Director general Kevin Bakhurst will tell TDs and senators RTÉ is pursuing "ambitious change in how we serve audiences and how we run the organisation".

He will say the agreed multi-annual funding "provided essential stability" for that reform agenda.

"Our responsibility has been to use that stability effectively: Strengthening governance and financial discipline while transforming RTÉ into a smaller, more digitally focused organisation, with a changing production and operating model and increased investment in independent Irish content."

On funding, he will say the organisation has "made significant progress in restoring financial stability and strengthening financial discipline" and that almost 90% of the Expert Advisory Committee recommendations have been implemented "alongside significant changes to governance, financial control, risk and accountability".

Mr Bakhurst will say RTÉ has "begun the planned rescaling of the organisation, increased investment in technology and digital services, and continued to change the way in which we produce, commission, and deliver content for audiences".

"We recognise that transformation on this scale takes time, and that further work remains. But two years into the strategy, there are tangible signs of progress, including in the services and content we provide to audiences all over Ireland," he will add.

He will point to investment in the RTÉ Player, new original Irish drama and "an impressive suite of podcasts focused on important Irish stories" as well as a new and improved version of the RTÉ News App and a new audio app.

Mr Bakhurst will say that the "work of transformation is far from over".

"Whilst progress is real and measurable, RTÉ recognises that significant work remains and that public funding carries an obligation to continue to demonstrate value, accountability and delivery."

In its opening statement, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport will say Patrick O'Donovan had to consider the RTÉ funding in the context of the department's overall financial commitment. It will say that while RTÉ has made reforms, the pace of implementation "had not kept pace with the timelines which RTÉ itself had set out".

The Department will add that RTÉ's funding will be a matter for the Minister.

• Paul Hosford is Deputy Political Editor.