RTÉ announces Fergal O’Brien as new Business Correspondent

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RTÉ News is pleased to announce the appointment of RTÉ journalist, Fergal O’Brien, as its new Business Correspondent.

In his new role, Fergal will be reporting and providing analysis across television, radio and online on the issues and trends impacting the business community across Ireland. The Business Correspondent for RTÉ News will cover a wide brief, including banking, retail, aviation, hospitality and stockmarkets.

Fergal O’Brien has worked as a multimedia journalist in RTÉ since October 2018, reporting across television, radio and online news including RTÉ’s Six One News, Nine O’Clock News, News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ online, reporting on a wide variety of topics including the areas of business, economics and finance.

Originally from Cong, Co Mayo, Fergal began his broadcasting career with local radio station MidWest Radio. He worked in Today FM and Newstalk, before joining TV3. He has held the roles of reporter, newscaster, senior reporter, news correspondent and producer.

He has over 20 years of experience working in broadcast journalism, having reported extensively on some of the key issues that have faced the country including the financial crash, Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as major events and elections.

Fergal has studied Economics at Independent Colleges in Dublin, and Business and Psychology at Dublin Business School, as well Criminology and Criminal Psychology at City Colleges in Dublin.

Commenting on his new role Fergal said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to the role of RTÉ Business Correspondent at such a pivotal time for the business community in Ireland. As I take on the position, I’m conscious that there is much uncertainty facing the Irish and global economies. The impact of the planned tariffs from the US administration has the potential to be the biggest challenge facing many businesses, households and indeed the State since Brexit and the financial crash. Business crosses every sector and has an impact on all of our lives, and as part of my new role, I will hope to visit as many businesses as I can across the country, to tell the stories of those directly impacted by wider decisions.”

Fergal O’Brien will be taking up the role of Business Correspondent this summer.

David Murphy has also recently been appointed to the senior role of Economics and Public Affairs Editor, managing the RTÉ News Business Unit team and coverage. David previously held the role of Economics and Public Affairs Correspondent.

– Ends –

Date: Wednesday 07 May 2025

Note to Editors:
The role of Business Editor was previously held by Will Goodbody who departed the organisation earlier this year. David Murphy as Economics and Public Affairs Editor, now manages the RTÉ News Business Unit team which will include new Business Correspondent, Fergal O’Brien.

RTÉ Communications: Laura Fitzgerald

Tracks & Trails returns for a fresh new season

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First episode airs this Friday at 8pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin presenting  
Guests include Barry Murphy, Brooke Scullion, Bryan Dobson, Claire Byrne, Fiona Mitchell, James Kavanagh and Mark Devenport

The much-loved series Tracks & Trails returns this Friday, May 9 at 8pm for its 12th season, offering viewers a fresh and inspiring look at Ireland’s most beautiful walking routes. This season brings even more fresh air as the four-part series is fronted by broadcaster, musician, and podcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, who explores seven counties alongside an array of well-known Irish personalities.

Each episode captures heartfelt conversations and scenic adventures, as Doireann and her guests traverse woodland paths, coastal trails, historic sites, revealing not just the natural beauty of the landscape, but also the emotional and cultural connections that make these places so meaningful.

This season’s featured guests include:

  • Bryan Dobson, former RTÉ news anchor, exploring the rich heritage of Leitrim
  • Mark Devenport, ex-BBC Political Editor, walking the dramatic coastline of Down
  • Claire Byrne, renowned broadcaster, revisiting her roots in Laois
  • Fiona Mitchell, acclaimed journalist, uncovering hidden gems in Offaly
  • Brooke Scullion, Eurovision singer, hiking the heartlands of Fermanagh
  • Barry Murphy of Hermitage Green, celebrating culture and scenery in Limerick
  • James Kavanagh, social media personality, bringing his wit and wonder to Wexford

With sweeping views, reflections, and a renewed appreciation for Ireland’s vast natural offerings ,Tracks & Trails is a timely reminder of the value of slowing down and reconnecting.
 
ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Episode 1 – May 9th
Leitrim & Down: Mullaghgarve Mass Rock and Cloone Looped Trail, followed by the North Down Coastal Path
Guests: Bryan Dobson & Mark Devenport

Episode 2 – May 16th
Fermanagh & Wexford: Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the magical Tintern Trails
Guests: Brooke Scullion & James Kavanagh

Episode 3 – May 23rd
Limerick: From Abbeyfeale to Rathkeale on the Limerick Greenway, plus a city walk through Limerick’s historic core
Guest: Barry Murphy (Hermitage Green)

Episode 4 – May 30th
Laois & Offaly: The Glenbarrow Old Mill Loop in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the mythical Giant’s Grave Loop
Guests: Claire Byrne & Fiona Mitchell

RTÉ Communications: Sharon Sorohan

KÍLA to perform live on RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena with exclusive preview of new album, Raise the Road

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Live from Studio 1 at 7pm, Tuesday May 6

Iconic trad-fusion group KÍLA will be live from Studio 1 on RTÉ Radio 1’sArenaprogramme at 7pm on Tuesday, May 6, delivering an electrifying preview of their forthcoming album, Raise the Road. This special broadcast will feature KÍLA performing alongside the Paul Frost Brass Band, bringing listeners an unforgettable blend of traditional Irish music and brass-fuelled funk, mambo, and New Orleans jazz with an audience in studio. Presenter Sean Rocks will chat with the band throughout the programme.

Raise the Road, releasing on May 9, 2025, showcases KÍLA as never before, reimagined through the bold and brassy lens of renowned trombonist and arranger Paul Frost. The album features seven members of KÍLA alongside a four-piece brass section, culminating in a high-energy sound that captures the spirit of KÍLA’s live performances and amplifies it with new textures.

With over 20 releases and a legacy spanning five decades, KÍLA has collaborated with legendary artists such as U2, Ronnie Wood, Sinéad O’Connor, Shane MacGowan, and The Dubliners. Their latest work continues this spirit of innovation, blending their deeply rooted Irish musicality with the energy of Frost’s brass arrangements.

Originally formed as a family trio of the Ó Snodaigh brothers, Rónán (vocals/bodhrán), Colm (flute), and Rossa (bouzouki), KÍLA has evolved into a powerhouse collective with members Eoin Dillon (pipes), Dee Armstrong (fiddle), Lance Hogan (guitar), and Brian Hogan (bass). Known for their dynamic stage presence and boundary-pushing compositions, KÍLA’s performances continue to captivate and energise audiences around the world.

Tune into Arena on RTÉ Radio 1 at 7pm on Tuesday, May 6 for a first listen to Raise the Road before its official release.

ENDS 

RTÉ Communications:  Sharon Sorohan

New RTÉ Series Uncharted with Ray Goggins pushes well-known faces to their limits

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Well-known faces pushed to their limits in Uncharted with Ray Goggins
Leo Varadkar, Lyra, Kneecap, Joe Canning, Thomas Barr, Ellen Keane and Ashling Thompson brave it out on brand-new RTÉ adventure series
A new RTÉ series sees adventurer and former special forces soldier Ray Goggins take well-known Irish faces from the worlds of politics, music and sport on extreme outdoor expeditions through some of the most remote and treacherous environments on Earth, pushing each participant far beyond their comfort zone in the ultimate test of survival and resilience.

Each week, Ray challenges a new well-known pairing with a physically and mentally demanding adventure, designed to push each participant to their limits. As they face the wild together, the experience becomes more than just an adrenaline rush — it’s a deeply emotional journey. Bonds are forged, stories shared, and vulnerabilities surface, as Ray guides participants through a transformative wilderness challenge. Will these experiences reveal something new to the viewer about these well-known personalities?

 

Uncharted with Ray Goggins | RTÉ One & RTÉ Player

The line-up includes former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who teams up with singer Lyra to travel with Ray to the wild untamed mountains of Drakensberg, South Africa. The unlikely trio sleep in caves, scale gigantic peaks and climb sheer rock faces as they make their way to the top of one of the tallest waterfalls on the planet, Tugela Falls. No stranger to scaling political heights, how will Leo fare when faced with a death-defying vertical climb to the top of the Drakensberg Escarpment?

Rap trio Kneecap join Ray in the far north for a gruelling five-day Arctic experience that will test the lads’ resilience in a landscape where temperatures can drop below minus 40. An icy blast threatens the entire experience, forcing them to seek shelter from the extreme cold. Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane and six-time All-Ireland Camogie star Ashling Thompson travel to Bolivia to the start of the fabled ‘Death Road’ on a seven-day challenge, trekking close to 100KM through the dense cloud forest of Bolivia, negotiating raging rivers, punishing terrain and wild jungle. Climbing ever higher into the Andean Mountains, Ellen and Ashling show all their resilience as they traverse glaciers and snowfields to make a 6088-metre summit attempt. It will be one of the toughest tests of their lives.

Champion Galway hurler Joe Canning and track and field star Thomas Barr meet Ray in Colombia, where they will embark on a gruelling journey navigating deadly class five river rapids for what is an unforgettable and dangerous challenge, pushing both to their limits in unfamiliar territory. Met by Ray with warnings of deadly snakes and venomous spiders, their route back to civilisation will take five days navigating the rapids, with both accomplished sportsmen digging deep.

The four-part series is independently produced by Diffusion Media for RTÉ.

Episode 1 of Uncharted with Ray Goggins featuring Leo Varadkar and Lyra airs on RTÉ One| RTÉ Player on Wednesday, May 14 at 9.35pm

-ENDS-

Date: Thursday, 1 May, 2025

RTÉ Communications: Jennifer O’Brien

Notes to Editors:
-Further imagery and further programming details will be available on RTÉ Presspack

Leinster v Northampton the highlight of another huge weekend of free-to-air sport across RTÉ

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Munster and Connacht Football Finals onThe Sunday Game Live

Final two days of the Punchestown Festival

Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final meeting with Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium will be live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday with a place in the Final in Cardiff at stake. On RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player (4.45pm) Jacqui Hurley will be joined by Bernard Jackman, Donal Lenihan, Fiona Coghlan and Jamie Heaslip while Des Curran will have Bernard Jackman and Donal Lenihan alongside on commentary. Michael Corcoran will have full live commentary with James Downey and Shane Byrne on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

The Punchestown Festival continues on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Friday and Saturday with coverage also on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. On Friday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player Ruby Walsh will be joined by Barry Geraghty, Davy Russell and Jane Mangan for live coverage from Punchestown while on Saturday Jane Mangan will have Andrew McNamara, Barry Geraghty and Lisa O’Neill alongside. On Saturday Sport Eoghain Ward and Sarah Lynam will have commentary from Punchestown while the programme will also feature the 2,000 Guineas from Newmarket.

Another big weekend of GAA action begins on RTÉ with The Championship presented by Damian Lawlor (10.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1) featuring news, previews and exclusive interviews. Waterford v Limerick from Walsh Park in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship will be the featured game on Saturday Sport when Pauric Lodge will be joined by Shane McGrath for commentary (throw-in 6.00pm).

The Sunday Game Live presented by Joanne Cantwell (1.15pm, RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player) features a live Provincial Football Final double-header. Joanne will be joined by Lee Keegan and Paul Flynn for the Munster Football Final meeting of Kerry and Clare from Killarney followed by Mayo v Galway in the Connacht decider from Castlebar.

On Sunday evening Damian Lawlor and guests Ciaran Whelan and Cora Staunton will take a look back at all the weekend’s action on The Sunday Game (9.40pm, RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player)

RTÉ Radio 1 will have live commentary, updates and reports on all the Championship action on Sunday Sport and there will be full round-ups of the highlights and main talking points on the weekend television news bulletins at 6.1 and 9.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will have live commentary, reporting, post-match interviews and analysis on its weekend sports shows Spórt an tSathairn, Spórt an Tráthnóna on Saturday and Spórt an Lae on Sunday.  The live radio coverage of the championship will feature many well-known analysts in both football and hurling.

Follow all the games on the RTÉ Sport website and RTÉ News app with our live blogs, match reports and reaction.

RTÉ Communications – Fergus McCormack

New documentary Bad Nanny tells the story of serial scammer Samantha Cookes

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Exclusive interviews and un-seen footage feature in new two-part series  

A jaw-dropping new two-part documentary unravelling the astonishing true story of Samantha Cookes – serial scammer, master manipulator, and at one point, a trusted nanny – comes to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player this month.

Bad Nanny tells the story of Samantha Cookes who, for over a decade across Ireland and the UK, used a revolving door of aliases including Carrie Jade Williams and Sadie Harris to weave an intricate web of lies, deceiving everyone from vulnerable families to online communities. Her story was the subject of RTÉ podcast series The Real Carrie Jade.

This two-part film,  Bad Nanny, is a co-production between RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland from Alleycats TV, directed by Alan Bradley. It debuts on Monday 12th May at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

With gripping first-hand accounts, chilling insight into psychological manipulation, shocking revelations, and raw emotion, the TV documentary series is a must-watch exposé on one woman’s decade-long con and the strength of those who brought her down. It features exclusive interviews with victims of Samantha’s scams who have never spoken publicly and includes unseen archive footage of Samantha.

Episode one of Bad Nanny introduces the audience to one of Samantha Cookes’ most brazen personas – Carrie Jade Williams, a supposedly terminally ill, award-winning author. From this shocking disguise, the documentary traces back through the years to uncover how Samantha’s cons became increasingly audacious, building up to her role as a “nanny” who was hiding a troubling secret. The documentary shows how she gained the trust of families, only to betray them in devastating ways.

In the second part of the series, airing on Monday 19th May at 9.35pm on RTÉ One, the spotlight turns to the vulnerable families left emotionally shattered by Samantha’s deceit.  With the help of relentless TikTok sleuths and first-time interviews with those closest to her story, these women come together and turn detective to expose the truth, ultimately leading to Samantha’s dramatic downfall and conviction in 2025.

Head of Documentaries and Series at RTÉ, Gráinne McAleer said:“ The shocking story of Samantha Cookes and her long list of scams and aliases is an intriguing story that needs to be told on screen.  The two-part documentary series lays out this timeline of deceit brilliantly and captures the collective power of ordinary people. From the TikTok sleuths to the victims of Samantha’s scams that came together to expose her story, Bad Nanny is a story of the power of ordinary people working together. It is also cautionary tale for anyone hiring someone to look after their nearest and dearest. ” 

Bad Nanny is co-production between RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland produced by Alleycats TV. It will be available on RTÉ Player and BBC iPlayer from Monday 12 May.

Samantha Cookes’ story was first told in great detail on RTÉ in the podcast series The Real Carrie Jade from the award-winning Documentary on One team. Documentary maker Ronan Kelly from the podcast features in this TV series and an update to the podcast series has been published today (Thursday 1st May) wherever you get your podcasts.

ENDS 

For more information, preview copies and interview requests, please contact:

RTÉ Communications – Sarah Neville,

Listen to the full The Real Carrie Jade podcast from the Documentary On One team onrte.ie/podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts;

https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/series/40750-the-real-carrie-jade/

Tánaiste Simon Harris, Lottie Ryan and Boyzlife among guests on Friday’s Late Late Show

Written by

Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister for Defence and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, will be in studio on Friday night to discuss some of the most pressing issues on the political agenda – from Ireland’s stance on neutrality to the country’s approach to defence and the ongoing threat of a trade war. He will also reflect on his time as Taoiseach, marking his place in history as the youngest leader in the history of the Irish state.

On the 15th anniversary of the passing of her father, the late Gerry Ryan, 2fm presenter Lottie Ryan will join Patrick to reflect on Gerry’s life and legacy. In her first in-depth television interview about her father, Lottie will discuss losing him at just age 23, share memories of their close bond and reflect on what it means to follow in his broadcasting footsteps.

Boyband stars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden – also known as Boyzlife – will drop in to chat with Patrick about their extraordinary careers and the journey that brought them together on stage. They will reflect on life in two of the world’s biggest boybands, Boyzone and Westlife, what it was like being managed by Louis Walsh and navigating the music industry in their early twenties.

As the Grand Ole Opry marks its 100th anniversary, we pay tribute to this legendary institution with a special performance from three of Ireland’s brightest young country stars – Claudia Buckley, David James and Gerry Guthrie – singing a timeless country classic.

The Late Late Show is proudly sponsored by PTSB.

-ENDS-

Thursday, 1 May 2025

RTÉ Communications: Caoilinn Putti

Notes to Editor:

For more updates follow The Late Late Show online:

Instagram @latelaterte
TikTok: tiktok.com/@latelaterte
Blue Sky: latelateshow.rte.ie
X: @rtelatelateshow
Facebook: facebook.com/thelatelateshow
YouTube: youtube.com/@rtelatelateshow

Brand new culinary showdown comes to RTÉ Player

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Stream all episodes ofLook Who’s Hangry from April 29  

An RTÉ Player Original in partnership with Heinz 

Step into the Hangry Kitchen, where bold flavours clash and creativity knows no bounds in this brand new food competition series.Look Who’s Hangry is hosted by chef and TikTok star Daniel Lambert. The series pits two creators against each other in a battle of bizarre food mashups and culinary chaos.

Think peanut butter and jam sandwiches deep-fried in salt and vinegar crisps, or a Jerk prawn carbonara sushi roll. These are the hangry concoctions most would never admit to eating, let alone attempt to elevate. Chef Daniel Lambert, known for his wildly inventive food content takes these unconventional cravings and transforms them into next-level dishes.

Chef Daniel Lambert said, “It’s chaotic, it’s hilarious, and it’s full of food – basically everything that happens when you’re hangry and creative at the same time. We took mad ideas, ran with them, and somehow made them taste unreal. Look, I never thought turning chaos into cuisine would be my full-time job but here we are. Fronting this series is wild: the ideas are mad and the flavours bang. If your eyes aren’t watering from the spice or the feels, I’ve done something wrong.” 

Guests onLook Who’s Hangry include: 

  • James Doyle (@jamesdoylefitness) vs Marie-Claire Fitzpatrick (@mcluvs2laugh)
  • Callyann Brennan (@callyannbrennan) vs Cian Mooney (@cianmooney1)
  • Victoria Adeyinka (@victoriaadeyinka_ ) vs Seamus Lehane (@seamboyseam)
  • Jonny Murphy (@the_hungryhooker) vs Faye Shortt (@fayeshortty)
  • Cliona O’Connor (@clionaoconnor_) vs Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin (@kerry.cowboy)
  • Amanda Adé (@the_amanda_ade) vs Tom Murray (@bitta_banging)

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind food face-off where cravings get creative and hangry gets hilarious!

Each episode is packed with fun, flavour, and fast paced behind-the-scenes energy as Daniel recreates the contestants’ wildest food fantasies. Daniel’s off-the-cuff sense of humour will ensure that as well as some incredible dishes, entertainment is at the heart of the show.

But in the end, only one creator can win. And the decision rests solely in Daniel’s hands.

StreamLook Who’s Hangry on RTÉ Player from 29 April.

ENDS 

Notes to Editor  

An RTÉ Player Original proudly sponsored by Heinz [Seriously] Good Mayonnaise.
Look Who’s Hangry is a branded content partnership between RTÉ and Heinz. The series includes product placement of Heinz.

RTÉ Communications:  Sharon Sorohan

RTÉ is Supporting 28 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this May

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Watch our promo: RTÉ Supporting the Arts | What’s on

This May, RTÉ is delighted to support Bealtaine Festival, Fastnet Film Festival, and Dublin Dance Festival, along with 25 other arts and cultural events all over Ireland spanning theatre, film, literature, music, opera, dance, festivals, exhibitions and more.

Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, is celebrating 30 years with events across the month. Fastnet Film Festival will focus on the craft of filmmaking, hosting seminars, workshops and masterclasses with industry experts on all aspects of the film industry. Dublin Dance Festival will feature bold new performances from Irish artists and leading choreographic voices from around the world.

Arts and Minds, Maynooth University’s annual celebration of the best in Irish and international arts and culture events, will include performances by Irish National Opera and movie screenings with acclaimed directors. Writers, artists and poets will congregate in the beautiful heritage town of Listowe in County Kerry for Writers Week Literary Festival, while Cavan Arts Festival will present a diverse range of arts and cultural experiences in the heart of Cavan Town. The annual island-wide celebration of poetry, Poetry Day Ireland, will also take place on Thursday 1st May, with the theme May Day.

A host of music festivals will also take place across the country. In Tipperary, SCS Killaloe Music Festival will take place, in Offaly, Birr Festival of Music will host an array of classical music performances, and Galway Early Music Festival will host concerts, immersive musical journeys, workshops, and a multitude of local and international artists.

West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival and Marble City Music Festival in Kilkenny will present a diverse programme of concerts that is sure to delight audiences, and in Waterford, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Music for Wexford Summer/Autumn Series will commence its annual series of recitals by both Irish and international musicians. Crash Ensemble and Chamber Choir Ireland will present: Jóhann Jóhannsson: Drone Mass in Limerick, Letterkenny and Dublin. In Cork, Cork International Choral Festival and Open Ear music festival will take place.

LOVESONG by Abi Morgan will take to the stage at The Gate Theatre, and Dublin International Piano Competition will bring the world’s top young pianists to Ireland to compete. There are also a range of exhibitions taking place, from Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone | The Art of Friendship in Dublin’s National Gallery, to Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe, Changing Ireland and Dead Zoo at Large, at the National Museum. IMMA Collection: Art as Agency also continues this month.

For more information about the events we are supporting this month, check out the websites listed below:

Dublin Dublin Dance Festival | www.dublindancefestival.ie

Dublin IMMA Collection: Art as Agency | www.imma.ie

Waterford Blackwater Valley Opera Festival | https://blackwatervalleyopera.ie

Wicklow West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival | https://www.westwicklowfestival.com/

Kilkenny Marble City Music Festival | www.marblecitymusicfestival.com

Dublin / International International Literature Festival Dublin | https://www.ilfdublin.com

Nationwide Bealtaine Festival | https://bealtaine.ie/

DublinMainie Jellett & Evie Hone: The Art of Friendship | https://www.nationalgallery.ie/art-and-artists/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/mainie-jellett-evie-hone-art-friendship

Dublin and Cork Forgotten Peoples | https://www.chamberchoirireland.com/events/forgotten-peoples/

Kildare Arts and Minds Festival | www.mu.ie/artsandmindsfestival

Nationwide Poetry Day Ireland | https://www.poetryireland.ie/poetry-day/

Cork Cork International Choral Festival | www.corkchoral.ie

Tipperary SCS Killaloe Music Festival | www.killaloemusicfestival.com

OffalyBirr Festival of Music | https://www.birrfestivalofmusic.com

Cork Open Ear | www.openear.ie

Cavan Cavan Arts Festival | www.cavanartsfestival.ie

Dublin Dublin International Piano Competition | https://dipc.ie

Wexford Music for Wexford Summer/Autumn Series | www.musicforwexford.ie

Kerry Writers Week Literary Festival | www.writersweek.ie

Galway Galway Early Music Festival | https://www.resurgam.ie/

Limerick, Letterkenny, Dún Laoghaire Crash Ensemble & Chamber Choir Ireland present: Jóhann Jóhannsson: Drone Mass | https://www.crashensemble.com/events/johann-johannssons-drone-mass—letterkenny

Dublin Lovesong at The Gate | https://gatetheatre.ie/production/lovesong-2025/

Dublin Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe | www.museum.ie

Dublin Changing Ireland | www.museum.ie

Dublin Dead Zoo at Large | www.museum.ie

Cork Fastnet Film Festival | www.fastnetfilmfestival.com

Nationwide Irish National Opera | www.irishnationalopera.ie

Dublin Abbey Theatre | www.abbeytheatre.ie

Every year, RTÉ supports 170 arts and cultural events all over Ireland through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme. Spanning film, music, dance, opera, festivals, literature, theatre and exhibitions, and with dedicated promotion on RTÉ’s television, radio and digital services, and extensive support across RTÉ’s social channels, the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme is a lifeline to Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors.

To find out more information about RTÉ Supporting the Arts and to apply visit 
About RTÉ Supporting the Arts – About RTÉ (rte.ie)

Find out what’s happening near you on www.rte.ie/culture

RTÉ Statement – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project

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RTÉ Statement

“The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project is one of the projects that was funded from the proceeds of RTÉ’s land sale in 2017, the initial business case for the project having been approved in September 2016. Its purpose was to replace five disparate, legacy systems that were used for Finance and HR which were at or near end of life (one of them having been installed in 2001, another two installed in 2003).

This project was one of 39 capital projects completed or being implemented by RTÉ since January 2020 and which cost in the region of €0.5m or more. The total spend for all such projects comes to c.€57m overall, with a total variance to the initial budget approved of less than €0.5m.

By way of background, following an extensive public procurement process in 2018, two suppliers were appointed, Lot 3 in the original tender. Furthermore, theirs was the cheapest proposal and it was considered that this proposal would be the most economically advantageous to RTÉ.

However, issues arose almost immediately, and the project was, by January 2019, already behind schedule. These issues were largely due to a lack of resources provided by those parties to the project, resource constraints within RTÉ, the build quality of the product in testing which did not meet expectations and over-ambitious timelines.  This was compounded in 2020 with the outbreak of Covid 19 and the disruption caused by same.

As a results of issues arising, the contract was terminated with one of the appointed suppliers This was the subject of a Settlement Agreement which is the subject of a confidentiality clause.

RTÉ then engaged extensively with the other supplier to agree a plan that would facilitate the supplier delivering the maximum possible value of the contract. Ultimately, in August 2022 the project restarted following a phased approach with an initial finance implementation followed by subsequent phases for HR and other auxiliary functionality.

The finance system went live in March 2023. RTÉ did not ultimately proceed with the HR modules. In accordance with accounting standards RTÉ was required to review and record impairments in respect of this project from 2019 to 2023. The majority of the impairment relates to the effort to deliver the HR part of the project, amounting to €2.3m. The remaining €1.3m related to the delay and effort in delivering the Finance element of the project. Impairments were noted in RTÉ’s approved Annual Accounts during the years 2020-2023, but more specific details relating to this project have been disclosed to the Minister as part of the review of capital projects.

This impairment is very much an exception in the context of extensive projects delivered annually by RTÉ. This is evidenced by the fact that in Q1 2023 RTÉ recognised that this project was an ‘outlier’ and had commissioned consultants (Ernst & Young) to conduct a review of it so that lessons could be learned to minimize the risk of recurrence. The Ernst & Young report was presented to the RTÉ Board’s Audit and Risk Committee at its meeting on 20th April 2023 and discussed. It was also discussed by the RTÉ Board at its meeting on 27th April 2023.

Furthermore, the corporate governance reforms introduced by RTÉ over the past 18 months are designed to mitigate against the risk of recurrence of such issues.

The HR tender was designed to replace the existing legacy HR systems with one modern, scalable, and secure solution that can support all the HR functions and processes of RTÉ. This system will enable RTÉ to address legacy workflows and reporting issues and be fit for purpose for the future.  Recommendation 22 (HR Information Systems) made in the Expert Advisory Committee’s Independent Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and Other Matters in RTÉ published by Minister Catherine Martin TD last year recommends that RTÉ prioritise the proposed investment in new HR information systems.”

ENDS

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