TV station puts house in order

RTÉ had some torrid years financially after the 9/11 disaster, when advertising revenue slumped to a huge extent.

The station was roundly and justifiably criticised for sloppy management. Managers failed to meet re-organisational targets and the station was running unsustainable deficits. The plans announced were little more than figurative wish lists to build notional castles in the sky.

Since then RTÉ's management has turned the station around by dividing operations into independent business units, each with responsibility for its own area. Results have begun to show, because 2004 was a good year.