RTÉ boss eyes €2m sale of Cork building and views potential new city centre base

RTÉ understood to have viewed space in One Albert Quay building, as director general Kevin Bakhurst says increase in production from Cork is under consideration

The RTÉ Cork building at Fr Mathew Quay is to go up for sale, valued at around €2m. Picture: Larry Cummins

RTÉ Cork is to start the process of finding a new location in the city centre this month, with the current site at Fr Mathew Quay to go up for sale with a price tag of around €2m.

It is understood that RTÉ has already viewed space in the One Albert Quay building in Cork city centre as a potential option when it moves from its existing site. 

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst also revealed that an increase in production from Cork is being considered, including extending The Today Show and Nationwide.

He said the overall strategy is dependent on the future funding for RTÉ — a decision is expected in the coming months from the Government — but he believes the broadcaster will push ahead and begin looking for a new Cork site this month.

Kevin Bakhurst on the set of 'The Today Show' at RTÉ Cork, where he said there could be job losses, depending on voluntary redundancy applications.Picture: Larry Cummins 

"I think we've got to start the plans in earnest early in the new year," he said.

“I've already seen one place that was quite good and central. I set myself a high benchmark on what I’m expecting us to find but I think the city centre is really good to do live programming and get guests there. I’m excited about the plans down there.

“We've obviously got to look at selling the building we’re in at the moment and we’ve had it valued; these things take time. 

The strategy is dependent on funding but I think, come what may, we need to start properly looking in January.

The Irish Examiner  understands the studio on Fr Mathew Quay is valued at around €2m. 

Mr Bakhurst said there could be job losses at RTÉ Cork but it will be dependent on how many people apply for the voluntary redundancy scheme.

“The one thing that needs to be clear is that if we have to give anyone a paid exit, then we can't replace them.

“It's a pretty tight ship in Cork so we'll have to see if anyone applies; we’ll have to consider it,” he said.

In December, Mr Bakhurst wrote to staff to say the broadcaster would share details of its “initial and limited” voluntary exit programme near the end of January.

The organisation is seeking 40 departures under this scheme as part of planned cutbacks totalling €10m in 2024, though it has also flagged that it expects 400 people to leave by 2028. 

As part of his restructuring plan, Mr Bakhurst said one option being considered is running The Today Show  for a longer period throughout the year. 

Currently, the show, presented by Maura Derrane, Dáithí Ó Sé, and Sinead Kennedy, runs from September to May but there is speculation it will run for 12 months of the year.

Presenter Maura Derrane on 'The Today Show', which returns today after the Christmas break. Picture: Gerard McCarthy  

The show returns today after the Christmas break and is set to see a string of regular faces presenting on Mondays and Tuesdays alongside Dáithí Ó Sé, while Ms Kennedy is on maternity leave. 

Ms Derrane will continue to present the show for the remainder of the week.

Nationwide  currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but is being “run on a shoestring”, Mr Bakhurst said. 

It is anticipated that the show could air on an extra day in the future. 

"Both of those programmes, they're doing very well ratings-wise at the moment so we'll look to build on that initially," said Mr Bakhurst.

"We need to look at how we can work further with independents in Cork as well. We’ve got some great partnerships, particularly with UCC, so there’s a lot that we can do,” he said. 

Mr Bakhurst said he has spoken with the director general of the Swedish national broadcaster about safeguards in place there as a result of direct exchequer funding, rather than relying on TV licence fees.

He said he understands the concerns around the approach, which Tánaiste Micheál Martin said could prove problematic. 

The key thing for me is some predictability of funding, that the funding is at the right level, that we can be ambitious for what we're delivering, and that it safeguards our independence.

Mr Bakhurst also said he had spoken with the new Late Late Show team following reports of tensions, just weeks after the show began with new host Patrick Kielty. 

The Irish Examiner  first reported that Jane Murphy, the now former executive producer of the Friday night show, left the programme four weeks after it launched with Kielty.

Mr Bakhurst said there was nothing to investigate after Ms Murphy’s departure but he had spoken with her as she is a valued staff member. 

He said there is “always a bit of bedding down” when a programme is revamped, adding that the team was also frustrated after the show launched due to the strike in Hollywood which made it difficult to get celebrity guests.

Meanwhile, the publication of two delayed reports examining Toy Show the Musical and staff severance deals are due in the coming weeks. 

Mr Bakhurst had commissioned solicitors to examine voluntary severance programmes for departing staff in 2017 and 2021, while accountants Grant Thornton were commissioned to examine the failure of Toy Show the Musical.