RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst said the national broadcaster may have to consider involuntary redundancies “at some point” as it copes with a massive reduction in TV license purchases, reports Breaking News.
Following the scandal at the broadcaster in June, 37,089 fewer licenses were purchased in the eight weeks compared to the number of licenses purchased in the same period last year, representing a potential loss of €5.9 million.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin Buckhurst, RTÉ was “absolutely not considering compulsory redundancies at the moment” but added: “We may have to do that at some point,” reports Breaking News.
The meeting was held ahead of the release of a long-awaited report on the broadcaster’s finances.
Asked about the report, he said: “It is useful for us, there are actions to be taken,” reports Breaking News.
He said he had “very positive, wide-ranging, useful” discussions with the minister.
Asked about the media committee’s future recommendation that RTÉ should be funded by taxes rather than royalties, Bakhurst said it was a “really interesting thing to be explored”.
He added: “It is working very well in Sweden, for example,” reports Breaking News.
Bakhurst said he has not spoken to Tubridy since the decision was made.
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