The RTÉ Board welcomes today’s (5th July 2018) decision by Government to accept and support the implementation of the recommendations in the Boaden Review.

In terms of public policy, it brings much needed clarity and certainty.  It also should ensure the future for Ireland’s two full-time professional orchestras, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Importantly, it will enable both orchestras to be brought up to full strength; in the case of the National Symphony Orchestra that will mean it will return to 89 full time musicians for the first time in many years. In addition both orchestras will now be able to plan much more ambitious and complementary programming, national touring and educational outreach activities – essential to grow public access and public support for orchestral music across the country. More frequent international touring will also allow both of Ireland’s orchestras play an active role in supporting the enhancement of Ireland’s global cultural impact.

The Government decision today is of course just the beginning of a period of change for orchestral music in Ireland. The RTÉ Board welcomes that Government has established a transition process involving all the key stakeholders, which will likely take some time.

Critical to RTÉ during this period will be first and foremost to ensure that audiences continue to enjoy the best orchestral music uninterrupted; that the concerns and interests of RTÉ orchestra staff and musicians are understood and safeguarded; and that the new financial and governance arrangements are both sustainable and robust. The Board will now ask the Director General and her Executive team engage in the transition process.

RTÉ commissioned the Boaden review because it was clear to us that, as far as the RTÉ Orchestras are concerned, the status quo cannot continue. The recommendations of the review and the decision of Government today to support the implementation of those recommendations creates the opportunity for a new beginning. Our focus now must be to ensure the transition is managed well to give to our musicians and the broader sector both certainty and a clear creative direction for the years ahead.   

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