Government may restore €20 million to RTÉ if reform targets are met

RTÉ learned it will be €20 million short of the budget it anticipated for the next fiscal year, triggering urgent contacts from the Taoiseach’s and Tánaiste’s offices. Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan met with RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst and chairman Terence O’Rourke, after which both parties called the discussion positive while keeping details confidential. Senior government sources, speaking anonymously, said the shortfall will likely be covered if RTÉ can demonstrate that its reform and redundancy agenda remains on track.

O’Donovan plans to present a memorandum to the cabinet in the coming weeks, which may also explore licence-fee reforms to increase RTÉ’s income. The European Broadcasting Union and the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán have voiced concern over the funding decision, and TG4 is also seeking a meeting about its own static budget allocation.