5 talking points from the Oireachtas Committee on Media

Members of the RTÉ leadership team appeared in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Media today to discuss the ongoing programme of reforms at the broadcaster.

The invitation to join the Media Committee was issued in light of the announcement of a €20m cut to RTÉ's multi annual funding package for next year, announced in the budget by Minister for Culture, Communicatios and Sport Patrick O'Donovan.

Subjects debated during the session included the target to reduce the broadcaster's headcount by 400, the impact of the funding cut and there were lively exchanges centred on the recent appointment process for podcast presenters.

1. How did Ger Gilroy, presenter of the RTÉ sports podcast Howler, get the gig?

Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ was repeatedly questioned during the committee's debates about the background to Ger Gilroy's appointment to the role of presenter for the podcast. Since the overhaul of governance systems at RTÉ in the wake of the controversies in 2023, and on foot of recommendations from the RTÉ Expect Advisory Committee, RTÉ has instigated an expression of interest process for vacancies at the broadcaster, including on-air roles.

Ms Monahan outlined how she and her team used the 'Expressions of Interest' process internally when they began their search for a new presenter for the 'Howler' podcast from RTÉ.

She said that 20 applicants internally indicated their interest and once they had assessed those applicants using weighted criteria, herself and the head of the podcasting unit Hugh Ormond began considering potential voices from outside the organisation too.

In a statement issued this evening, RTÉ outlined the timeline in relation to his appointment as follows.

The broadcaster said that the Internal Expressions of Interest process opened 1 May 2026.

RTÉ confirmed that that process concluded on 29 May, and then presenter Ger Gilroy was contacted by Hugh Ormond on 5 June.

The appointment of Ger Gilroy was subsequently announced on 29 June and following approval process, Ger Gilroy commenced employment with RTÉ on 28 September.

2. Did Ger Gilroy apply through the Expressions of Interest process?

RTÉ's Head of People, Annette Malone has stated this evening that "Ger Gilroy did not submit an expression of interest directly."

His appointment was, "however, made as part of the wider process" arising from the Expressions of Interest initiative.

That process "created a longlist" of potential candidates but did "not preclude RTÉ from identifying and considering additional candidates" where a particular presenting role arose. The published Expressions of Interest material expressly stated that the longlist would be used "as part of the process" of identifying suitable candidates and that a shortlist "would be created using weighted criteria appropriate to the specific role," Ms Malone said.

Ger Gilroy was identified as a potential candidate for the daily sports podcast with RTÉ adding he was "assessed against the same weighted criteria used to consider the other potential candidates for the role."

A range of candidates from the sports broadcasting and podcasting market were considered, and following this process Ger Gilroy was the successful candidate against the agreed criteria.

His appointment was then "progressed."

It is therefore incorrect to suggest that the appointment was based simply on a private telephone call or that no competitive assessment took place, the statement outlined.

The clarification issued in relation to comments made by Patricia Monahan was intended to "distinguish" between applying directly through the Expressions of Interest invitation and being considered as part of the wider candidate-identification and assessment process.

RTÉ said it did "not represent an admission" that the appointment fell outside that process.

Ms Malone added that "I do not accept the assertion that Patricia Monahan misled staff or the public."

Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said: "The NUJ has confirmed this evening that it is seeking a meeting to address 'our concerns about apparent breaches of the recruitment and expressions of interest process’.

Mr Dooley added that NUJ "concerns were not allayed with the statements at the committee today."

3. What is Ger Gilroy's salary?

The Media Committee was not told. This was question was a recurring theme during the debate, with RTÉ declining to name a figure. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst had indicated on the 'Behind the Story' podcast last Friday that Mr Gilroy would be on the Top 20 list.

RTÉ's statement today confirmed that contractual arrangements for Ger Gilroy were "considered and approved through RTÉ’s established governance arrangements".

The remuneration "reflected the scope and strategic importance of the role, relevant market considerations, the experience and track record required, and the role’s contribution to RTÉ’s digital audio strategy".

However, it was not established as a general salary scale or benchmark for all podcast hosts.

4. Does Ger Gilroy have a wardrobe allowance and was he bought a tracksuit top?

At the committee hearing today, Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn asked if Ger Gilroy had a wardrobe allowance to which RTÉ Deputy Director-General Adrian Lynch replied "none."

Her party colleague Brian Brennan TD then asked Ms Monahan if the presenter had been "brought shopping." She replied that "I think there was a single item of clothing bought for a photo shoot."

Mr Lynch added that "if it was a photo shoot, then that comes into my area...and it could have been a tracksuit top for a photo shoot, the single item that was bought."

After the Media Committee appearance, RTÉ issued a statement clarifying that "Ger Gilroy does not have a clothing allowance."

The statement adds that "as is standard for RTÉ programmes, and as this is a visual podcast, there is an allocation for wardrobe in the programme budget."

5. Why did RTÉ receive a cut in funding to the tune of €20m?

RTÉ was planning for 2027 based on receiving €260m funding but on the day of Budget 2027, RTÉ DG Keving Bakhurst confirmed that three hours before the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure got to their feet to announce their plans, they got a call confirming a cut of €20m which caused "shock and dismay."

Both Joanna Byrne of Sinn Féin and Sinéad Gibney of the Social Democrats examined this in more detail with Department of Communications Secretary-General Feargal Ó Coigligh.

"The minister has not laid out his concerns... can you offer clarity on what pace of reforms the minister wasn't happy with?" Ms Byrne asked.

Feargal Ó Coigligh replied saying "the minister looked across at areas under pressure in his department ... and in his consideration and the expectations of Sports Ireland heading to the Olympics," he believed that he could not cut their funding. He looked at reforms at RTÉ and decided that the cut could be managed there.

Since that decision was announced though, there was confirmation that RTÉ and the department have been engaging in discussions around clarifying reform progress information.

Deputy Byrne followed up saying that "you told this committee that there were other commitments that were irreversible due to contractual obligations, for the Ryder Cup and Euro 2028.

"You also said that it was unconscionable to the minister that artists would lose out due to the commitments for the basic income for the arts scheme... but then there was a blunt cut to RTÉ of a disproportionate amount?"

The signal from the discussions at the Oireachtas Committee on Media today were positive that the funding gap can be filled with RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst saying "I am hopeful".