Struggling with financial difficulties, RTÉ plans to outsource editorial research for significant political events, including the next presidential inauguration and future state funerals, at an estimated cost of €180,000, reports The Mirror.
The national broadcaster recently launched a government-supported redundancy program to cut 400 jobs, following a €56 million bailout linked to the secret payments scandal.
Despite this, RTÉ began a public procurement process last week, seeking external research services to support its coverage of state, public, and political events over the next five years, reports The Mirror.
Among these events are the presidential inauguration in November and the National Day of Commemoration in July. The contract will also include research for political party conferences and select events related to Ireland’s EU presidency in 2026.
Additionally, the contract covers state funerals, budget announcements, elections, referendums, and major celebrations for sporting victories, reports The Mirror.
The selected contractors will be responsible for preparing editorial briefs for production teams and broadcasters, offering background information on venues, participants, and ceremonial aspects of commemorative events.
They will also compile details on key political, military, and diplomatic figures attending these events, along with information on ceremonial procedures and protocol, reports The Mirror.
For live TV coverage of major events, researchers will identify potential interviewees and provide background briefs. The tender documents indicate that research for the National Day of Commemoration alone could require up to seven days of work.
For election coverage, researchers will be tasked with gathering background details on candidates, political parties, and constituencies, as well as analyzing data from previous elections for journalists and producers, reports The Mirror.
The €180,000 contract spans five years and includes coverage of key events such as this year’s presidential election results, annual budget announcements, and the Northern Ireland Assembly election in 2027.
“Given the range and the likely overlap of events, it is thought unlikely that a single individual researcher could deliver the research service required,” the tender documents state, reports The Mirror.
“RTÉ is therefore looking for quotations from businesses which can provide the research service as outlined, including provision for covering sick leave or unforeseen circumstances,” reports The Mirror.
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