The new Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst has said he is standing down the RTÉ Executive Board on his first official day in the job.
He made the announcement in an email to staff on Monday morning and said the Executive Board will be replaced with a temporary interim leadership team to run the organisation.
He also said that RTE under his leadership would be dedicated to "listening" to staff and "being open and transparent, to strictly adhering to revised and rigorous governance processes and procedures, to being accountable and to delivering a public service to be proud of".
Mr Bakhurst said he will share details of the interim leadership team later today. The new DG is lined up to speak to the media after lunchtime on Monday.
The new boss has also said going forward RTE will publish the salaries of all Executives and the top 10 highest-paid presenters in its annual reports.
He said that from today, all significant decisions will be agreed "by the whole of the interim leadership team." The news comes as the broadcaster is in turmoil over secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy through a secret barter account usually reserved for commercial transactions.
RTE’s Director of Strategy Rory Coveney has announced he has quit just days after he faced intense public scrutiny over the handling of taxpayers' money.
Mr Coveney faced a grilling from the Oireachtas media committee last week for his role in Toy Show The Musical, which saw RTE haemorrhage €2.2M.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Mr Coveney announced he has decided to quit, believing that it would be better if the station’s new Director General Kevin Bakhurst has a “fresh team” in his new role.
He said in a statement: “I met with Kevin over the past few days and told him I believed the tough job ahead of him would be made somewhat easier if he had a fresh lead team. I’ve tendered my resignation immediately to give him the space to do that.
"Having worked with Kevin before, I’ve absolute faith in him. He’s the right person to rebuild the national broadcaster. I wish him the very best.”
Mr Bakhurst said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to Rory for his significant contribution to public service media during his time in RTÉ.
“As Strategic Adviser to the Director General, and latterly as Director of Strategy, Rory steered the organisation through a period of unprecedented change in media, while overseeing RTÉ’s complex strategy and public affairs units. His diligence, energy and insight were hugely appreciated by many across the organisation. I wish him the very best for the future.”
Rory has been with RTÉ since 2007 in a variety of roles. Prior to joining RTÉ, Rory worked for Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Rory is a graduate of UCC where he gained a BA in history. He also holds an MA in Interactive Media from TU Dublin.
In a statement today, the Chair of the RTÉ Board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, welcomed the changes commenced by new Director General Kevin Bakhurst.
She said: “Kevin Bakhurst officially begins as Director General of RTÉ today. As a Board, we look forward to working with him and his leadership team in forging a new future for this organisation."
The Board of RTÉ met with Mr Bakhurst yesterday and he outlined his commitment to rebuilding trust in RTÉ, with the public, staff and public representatives.
In particular, he detailed the first four initial changes he is making as the replacement of the Executive Board with an interim leadership team; changes in how the leadership team makes and accounts for significant decisions – with appropriate oversight by the RTÉ Board; A new Register of Interests; and a commitment to drive cultural change in the organisation.
"We welcome these changes. They are the first steps in an ongoing process of change that will last for many months," Ms Ní Raghallaigh added.
"In particular we note the overall commitment to management accountability and transparency that underpins these, and future, actions. RTÉ has a long way to go in rebuilding our bond of trust with the people.
"However, I believe that, working together across all strands of the organisation, we can do so. Our shared destination point is an RTÉ that is reformed, renewed, and robust.
"I believe RTÉ can be renewed following an unflinching examination of what has come to light in recent weeks. We will reform RTÉ by putting in place new structures and procedures that will ensure those mistakes of the past can never occur again. And, in doing we can ensure an RTÉ that is robust in its unswerving commitment to public service broadcasting and rooted in a sustainable funding model.
"Of course, we can only do this in concert with the hard working and committed staff of RTÉ who have been so badly let down by recent revelations. I believe that, by working together to a common aim, we can rebuild a better, stronger RTÉ. We as a Board are committed to playing our full part in this process of renewal.”
The RTÉ Trade Union Group also welcomed this morning's statement Kevin Bakhurst.
"Following specific commitments at a positive meeting last Friday to ensure full and open engagement with the TUG and trade unions, and to drive cultural and leadership change in RTÉ, staff can begin to face the challenge of rebuilding trust in the organisation," they said.
"We look forward to working with him."
Minister for Media Catherine Martin also welcomed the move to stand down the Executive board.
Sparking on Monday morning, she said: "I welcome the statement from the new Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst this morning.
"The Director General briefed me when we met on Thursday that he was planning to reconstitute the Executive Board. I note his announcement today that he is standing down the Executive Board and replacing it with a temporary Interim Leadership Team.
"It is right that his first action this morning was to advise staff of his plans. I note in particular his proposals for a staff consultation group and employee survey and that he is planning a review of roles and grades, pay, and gender equality. As the national broadcaster, which rightly challenges other institutions, RTÉ must be leading out in terms of equality and inclusion.
"Confidence in RTÉ starts with its own staff and Board. And from there it can start to build trust with the Oireachtas, its audience, the independent production sector and the public.
"A further essential change by the Director General is the announcement regarding a Register of Interests. This is crucial in terms of the transparency needed at RTÉ and to ensure accountability at the station.
"The commitment of the Director General to rigorous governance processes and an end to secret decision making is vitally important.
"These are the first steps towards helping restore public confidence in RTÉ.
"The Board’s statement this morning in support of the Director General’s announcement is a positive signal in this regard.
"These actions will complement the work that the Government-commissioned external examination will do in assessing governance, culture, HR matters and contractor remuneration at RTÉ.
"Furthermore, I also value the commitment made last week by the Director General for full cooperation with the external forensic accountant who will be appointed this week.
"The Director General’s commitment to engage with the independent production sector, as well as his intention to meet with the Raidió na Gaeltachta, Nuacht RTÉ, TG4 and regional teams is also important.
"Now is the time for a reset right across RTÉ and I await the Director General’s further announcements later today in respect of the new Interim Leadership Team."
