RTÉ Executive Board Stood Down As New Director General Takes Over

New RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst has revealed that he is standing down the executive board of the broadcaster, and replacing it with an interm leadership team.

This new interm leadership team will continue to run the organisation, according to Bakhurst.

Writing that he will share further details later today, Bakhurst added, "In due course, there will be a new permanent leadership team". 

Mr Bakhurst has stated that under this new leadership, RTÉ will be dedicated "to listening, to 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".

He also assured the public that all salaries of the Executive Board will be published, along with the ten highest paid presenters in its annual report each year. 

The new DG also stated that all decision will be agreed, "by the whole of the interim leadership team" and a record of discussions leading to these decisions will be compiled". 

"There can be no repeat of the siloed and at times secretive decision-making that have been at the root of the shameful events of the past weeks". 

It was also stated that acting Director General Adrian Lynch has written to all line managers, looking to clarify any potential breaches of any guidelines of RTÉ's journalism or content.

Bakhurst has also emphasised the importance in RTÉ becoming an organisation that is focused on its people and the publcic it serves. He also added that he will work with HR to set up a review into pay, gender equality, roles and grades.

"Included in this will be the development of a staff consultation group to meet regularly with me and other members of the Leadership Group and a comprehensive employee survey", stated Bakhurst.