RTÉ looking at new Cork sites, says Bakhurst

The RTÉ director general has said that he is actively looking at new premises in Cork city as part of a plan to increase production from Cork.

Kevin Bakhurst addressed attendees of the Cork Person of the Year Awards at the Metropole Hotel on Friday afternoon.

“The plan to focus more production in Cork is not only a statement of confidence in the wonderful team who work miracles day in and day out in Fr Matthew St, it’s a statement more broadly of strategic intent,” he said.

“Perspectives matter. And if the voices we hear every day only originate from one place, then that perspective can only ever be partial. We are more ambitious than that for ourselves and for you.”

Mr Bakhurst acknowledged the calibre of people in RTÉ Cork’s “great team” and commended them on their commitment.

“During the last few months when things have been pretty challenging for the organisation, it’s the people who deliver that content and those programmes who have held the reputation of RTÉ and ensured we maintain what we do and deliver for audiences,” he said.

Mr Bakhurst said he had spent some time on Friday looking at potential new premises for RTÉ Cork “because we are progressing our plans”.

He acknowledged that his first six months as director general “have been relatively eventful, to say the least”, but said he hopes audiences can see his earnest ambitions to steady and secure RTÉ for a brighter future.

“If I have one mission, and that’s why I took the job, it is to ensure the continuity of this special role for RTÉ in our life and it is to make sure that future generations have a national public service media that they can access, enjoy, and be proud of,” he said.

“We will deliver transparency, accountability and great public service programmes and content for audiences around this country and globally.”