'Marty Morrissey says I'm not allowed': RTÉ's Kevin Bakhurst has not applied for BBC job

Kevin Bakhurst and Marty Morrissey pictured in 2015. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

RTÉ’s director-general Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed he has not applied for the top job at the BBC, after speculation he could move on to the UK broadcaster.

The position of director-general at the BBC is currently vacant, after Tim Davie resigned in November.

Asked about the possibility of moving into the role of BBC director-general at the Oireachtas Media Committee, Mr Bakhurst said: "I don't think I can leave because Marty Morrissey says I'm not allowed to leave.”

Pressed on this by Fine Gael senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Mr Bakhurst said he had not applied for the BBC position.

“I haven’t applied, and I’m very happy doing this job. That’s all I can say, that’s where we are."

He joked again in reference to his friendship with RTÉ commentator Mr Morrissey: “But Marty’s (view) is obviously more important than my view on it.”

However, Mr Bakhurst said he is always thinking about succession planning, citing that he only has a seven-year term as Director-General.

“Whatever happens at any point, I’m constantly looking at succession planning,” Mr Bakhurst said, following questioning from Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney.

He said there are “several excellent candidates” on the leadership team who would be able to take over his position in future.

Under questioning by Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan, Mr Bakhurst said RTÉ’s morale is still “patchy”.

“We know from the staff survey that it’s patchy around the organisation. There are some areas where it's good, and some areas where it's very poor,” Mr Bakhurst said.

Meanwhile, Mr Bakhurst said RTÉ is not looking to expand at present, but it would consider taking over the broadcast of the Dáil if needed.

“We haven’t been asked by the authorities in the House here, but [Oireachtas TV] is really important,” Mr Bakhurst said.

“If it was a matter of sustaining the survival of that, then of course, as a public service broadcaster, we’d be open to talk about it.”