Turmoil in RTÉ as staff complain about ‘lack of transparency and fairness’ in process used for new presenter roles | Irish Independent

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Union demands an ‘explanation of the criteria used in appointments’

RTE staff and unions complain about the transparency and fairness of the new radio presenter selection process

Melanie Finn

Today at 05:30 

Turmoil continues in RTÉ after staff complained about the “lack of transparency and fairness” around the process used for the new presenter roles.
Concerns were raised about last summer’s “expression of interest” jobs process at Monday’s meeting of the NUJ RTÉ Newsroom chapel.
The station unveiled its new Radio 1 schedule last Friday, adding Newstalk’s Kieran Cuddihy to the line-up in the Liveline slot.
The previous day, Ray D’Arcy said he was “hugely disappointed” at how his departure had been handled after 11 years on his show.
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There is further disquiet in Montrose with how the process to choose the new presenter roles played out.
In correspondence seen by the Irish Independent, union representatives have written to RTÉ management to express concerns over aspects of the selection
process. 

On foot of recommendations from a 2024 report from the Government’s Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), applications were last summer invited for new on-air presenting roles.

More than 500 people applied for new opportunities, from both inside and outside of Montrose.

Cuddihy applied to RTÉ through this process, while David McCullagh said he was offered Claire Byrne’s slot at the end of July.

Union representatives are now seeking clarification on “how a presenter was appointed through the public process”.

Ray D'Arcy criticised the national broadcaster's handling of his recent departure. Photo: Kinlan Photography

It has requested a “detailed explanation of the process and the criteria used for the appointment”. 

 no formal communication, to our knowledge, was provided to any of the other applicants, beyond an initial receipt of application submission,” it stated.

One RTÉ source said people were “really frustrated” with the current results of the expression-of-interest process.

Many of those who applied for the roles only received a notification of an application but no further communication on it.

“There is a process in place but there is no clarity around how it works,” he said. “No one begrudges people being given jobs – from inside or outside the organisation.

There was huge disappointment, especially among radio staff, after Claire [Byrne] announced she was leaving

“But it is the fact that there appears to be a lack of transparency around the process.” 

 

Another source said that “nothing surprises me in RTÉ any more” amid the recent upheaval.

“It’s just one thing after another and it’s the lack of openness that is really upsetting people. We were supposed to be past all this but we still see this culture of secrecy continuing,” she said.

“There was huge disappointment, especially among radio staff, after Claire [Byrne] announced she was leaving, not to mention all the upset around Ray D’Arcy’s exit. Morale is quite low.”

Six One presenter McCullagh will take up the reins on Byrne’s slot on November 3 as she enters her final days with RTÉ.

Cuddihy, a qualified solicitor and journalist from Kilkenny, will start working with RTÉ next month on Liveline. 

With Newstalk since 2011, his last-minute appearance on the Late Late Show was cancelled last week due to a legal notice from the independent station.

It stated that he was still under contract with them and could not proceed with the promotional appearance.

In an interview with News at One last Friday, RTÉ director of audio Patricia Monahan said the expression-of-interest process was “very successful”.

She suggested that those who applied could be in the running for future opportunities in the station.

“Other people who are on the schedule did apply through that process,” she said. 

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“We now have a very long list, over 500 people, who have expressed an interest. We’ll keep a record of that for the next two years. As roles come up, we’ll
always consider it.”
Broadcaster Claire Byrne has also left RTÉ. Photo: Fergal Phillips
Amid last week’s announcement of the huge schedule shake-up, RTÉ said that Drivetime presenters Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra will “continue to
be a regular presence on RTÉ and Radio 1”.
It is understood that McInerney is in the running for one of the plum Morning Ireland roles, alongside Justin McCarthy.
The station’s biggest shake-up in 25 years will see Today with David McCullagh starting at 9am.
Oliver Callan will move to 11am and run until 1pm 

a statement, RTÉ said it will respond “directly to the NUJ Chapel in relation to any issues raised in due course”.

The spokesperson insisted the expression of interest process “has ensured an open and transparent process in the filling of presenter roles”.

The call for applications was “very positive”. 

glist will be used as part of the process to identify suitable candidates,” he said.

“A shortlist will be created using a weighted criteria suitable for the specific role. This applies for the next two years.” 

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