RTE's Geraldine O’Leary has announced that she is retiring early from the broadcaster with immediate effect.
The Director of Commercial is the latest high-ranking RTE staff member to depart after Kevin Bakhurst officially took over as Director General this morning. Director of Strategy Rory Coveney announced his resignation last night after 16 years with RTE.
This morning, Mr Bakhurst confirmed that the entire Executive Board will be replaced with an interim leadership team as the payments scandal continues.
Announcing her early retirement this afternoon, Ms O'Leary said that her career with the broadcaster as "a great source of pride and honour to me".
Read more: Entire RTE Executive Board stood down by Kevin Bakhurst on his first day of the job
"Bringing my retirement forward by a number of weeks is not something I had anticipated," she said. "However, I recognise that a fresh leadership team, starting today, is vital as Kevin Bakhurst sets out to renew RTÉ, and I have agreed to facilitate that.
"The talented Commercial Team at RTÉ will continue to co-operate fully with all requests for information. I would like to thank them, along with my industry colleagues and friends, past and present, who have shown me much needed support in recent weeks."
Ms O'Leary added over her 40 year long career in the advertising industry, she "acted with integrity, and my positive reputation has been hard earned".
"I truly hope that this will be my legacy. I believe in the importance of public service broadcasting. And I am proud of the vital contribution that RTÉ's commercial activities have played in sustaining public service media in our dual-funded system.
"I look forward to watching RTÉ recover and thrive under the stewardship of Kevin Bakhurst."
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