Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act ...... 4 THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI ACT) ...... 4 INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT NO COST...... 4 RECORDS AVAILABLE UNDER FOI ...... 4 RECORDS EXCLUDED UNDER FOI...... 4 TIME LIMIT ON GETTING INFORMATION...... 5 COST OF APPLICATION ...... 5 REQUESTS...... 5 SEARCH AND RETRIEVAL ...... 5 RESPONSE TIME...... 5 DESIGNATED PERSONS UNDER FOI ...... 6 APPEAL...... 7 EXTERNAL APPEAL ...... 8 ROLE OF THE BROADCASTING COMPLAINTS COMMISSION ...... 8

Introduction to RTÉ ...... 9 RTÉ Documents, Policies and Procedures...... 14

Further Information...... 15 INTRODUCTION ...... 16 SECTION 15, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT ...... 15 SECTION 16, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT...... 17 RECORDS UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT...... 17 RTÉ'S COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES ...... 17 THE BROADCASTING ACTS: KEY SECTIONS ...... 19 THE RTÉ AUTHORITY...... 20 THE RTÉ EXECUTIVE BOARD...... 21 RTÉ DIVISIONS ...... 24 1. RTÉ Corporate Division ...... 24 2. RTÉ Radio Division...... 26 3. RTÉ Television Division...... 31 4. RTÉ News and Current Affairs Division ...... 37 5. RTÉ Performing Groups Division...... 41 6. RTÉ Publishing Division ...... 44 7. RTÉ Network Division...... 47

Page 2 of 48 Preface This guide to RTÉ and its policies is published under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, (FOI Act). RTÉ was brought under the Freedom of Information Act in May 2000. Section 15 (see page 16) requires each public body to publish a guide to its structure, function and services. Section 16 (page 17) of the Act stipulates that public bodies must publish the procedures and practices which determine their decisions.

RTÉ is funded in part by public money through the licence fee and we believe that our policies and operations should be open to public scrutiny and that access to our records by the public will show that we carry out our public service remit scrupulously and honestly.

Please contact us if you require any further assistance.

Peter Feeney Head of Public Affairs Policy Telephone: 01 208 3122 Freedom of Information Office Fax: 01 208 3483 RTÉ E-mail: [email protected] Dublin 4.

Summary

• Where do I apply? The relevant RTÉ Freedom of Information Officers are listed on pages 6-7.

• How far back can I go? Generally, only records from April 1998 apply. There is no time limit on personal records.

• How much does it cost? An application usually costs €15 (€10 for medical card holders).

• What is excluded? Commercially sensitive, personal or confidential journalistic records cannot be released. Reporter's notes or off-the-record quotes, whether broadcast or not, are excluded. RTÉ's internal reviews or analysis of broadcast programmes are also excluded.

Page 3 of 48 Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) Under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, members of the public have a legal right of access to information held by Government departments and public bodies. On extension in May 2000 of the Freedom of Information Act to include RTÉ, members of the public were entitled to request access to documents and records held by RTÉ. The FOI Act allows the greatest possible access to information consistent with the public interest, the right to privacy of individuals and commercial sensitivity.

Information available elsewhere at no cost RTÉ already makes available to the public considerable information through its annual report and other literature. It is advisable to check the RTÉ web site (www.rte.ie) or with the RTÉ Information Office ([email protected], Telephone 01- 208 3434, Fax: 01 208 3943). If the information or records sought are not available from any of these sources they may be accessible through the Freedom of Information Office. If you have any doubts, please contact Peter Feeney, Freedom of Information Officer, before processing a formal request.

Records available under FOI The regulations extending the FOI Act to RTÉ state that the organisation comes under the Act for records (page 17) relating to management, administration, finance, commercial, communications and the making of contracts, subject to certain exclusions (see below).

Records excluded under FOI The FOI Act states that the following types of records in any organisation containing the following cannot be issued: • information given in confidence • commercially sensitive information • personal information requested by a third party. These exemptions may be subject to a public interest test.

In addition, when the FOI Act was extended to RTÉ, the Government introduced special regulations concerning the exclusion of certain records held by RTÉ. This was in recognition of the need to protect RTÉ's journalistic functions. In summary, these are: • The gathering and recording, in any form, of news, information, data, opinions, on or off the record quotes or views from any person or body or source, for journalistic or programme content purposes. • The identification of any potential or actual source of information or material for the purpose of making programmes. • The editing and storing of any material recorded by any means, whether written, aural, visual or otherwise, for the purposes of making programmes. • The process of making editorial decisions concerning programmes. There is no public interest test associated with the special regulations.

Page 4 of 48 Time limit on getting information The FOI Act provides the right of access to records created since 21 April 1998, when the Act came into force. However, if a record is only understandable by reference to an earlier record then the right of access is extended back to the date of the earlier record. (For example if a letter dated June 1998 refers to a previous letter dated October 1997 then that letter would be accessible so as to allow an understanding of the June 1998 letter.)

There is no time limit on an individual getting their personal records.

Cost of application The current fees, set under the FOI Act, are as follows:

Requests • Initial request: €15 (€10 for a medical card holder) • Internal review: €75 (€25) • Review by Information Commissioner: €150 (€50)

No charge is made for personal records.

Payment is by cheque or money order.

Search and Retrieval There may be additional charges for search and retrieval and copying: • Search and Retrieval: €20.95 per hour • Photocopy per sheet: 4c • Computer disc: 51c

No charges apply in respect of the time spent by RTÉ in considering requests or in the administration of requests at the initial stage.

Response time Under the Act, a request for records must be acknowledged within two weeks and responded to within four weeks. If a third party is involved there may be another three weeks before the response.

Page 5 of 48 Designated persons under FOI You should apply in writing or by e-mail, stating that the request for records is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

If the record requested relates to RTÉ generally

Peter Feeney Telephone: 01 208 3122 Head of Public Affairs Fax: 01 208 3483 Freedom of Information Office E-mail: [email protected] RTÉ Dublin 4.

If the record requested relates to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Dónall Ó Braonáin Telephone: 091 506677 Leascheannaire Fax: 091 506666 RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta E-mail: [email protected] Casla Connemara Co. na Gaillimhe.

If the record requested relates to RTÉ lyric fm

Julie Knight Telephone: 061 207359 RTÉ lyric fm Fax: 061 207380 Cornmarket Square E-mail: [email protected] Limerick.

Page 6 of 48 Appeal In the event of a request for records being refused, only partially granted or if the requester is not satisfied with the response, the requester may seek review by an internal reviewer. The designated RTÉ internal reviewers are:

For RTÉ generally

Tom Quinn RTÉ Group Secretary RTÉ Dublin 4.

For RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Edel Ní Chuireáin Ceannaire Raidió na Gaeltachta Casla Connemara Co. na Gaillimhe.

For RTÉ lyric fm

Aodán Ó Dubhghaill Head of RTÉ lyric fm Cornmarket Square Limerick.

Page 7 of 48 External appeal The process of internal review must be complete within three weeks of the request for review being made. If the requester is not satisfied, there is a right of appeal by writing to the independent office of the Information Commissioner. Its web-site contains further details on the Freedom of Information Acts and provides decisions of the Commissioner.

The Office of the LoCall:1890 22 30 30 Information Commissioner Fax: 01 6395676 18 Lower Leeson Street E-mail: [email protected] Dublin 2. Web-site: www.oic.ie.

Role of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission Complaints specifically about programme or standards are dealt either by RTÉ under its Complaints Procedure (page 17) or can also be referred to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) (page 18):

Broadcasting Complaints Commission Telephone: 01 676 1097 2-5, Warrington Place Fax: 01 676 0948 Dublin, 2. E-mail: [email protected]

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission publishes a Guide to the Complaints Process. It is available on request or downloadable from their web-site (www.bcc.ie).

Page 8 of 48 Introduction to RTÉ

Role

Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) is the Irish National Public Service Broadcaster. The Broadcasting Acts (page 19) define RTÉ’s legal obligations. The organisation provides three national television and four national radio stations and a range of other services including two national orchestras, a web-site with live audio and video streams and a teletext service, RTÉ Aertel. TG4 (pages 48-49) operates under the aegis of RTÉ. RTÉ broadcasts high quality schedules to serve mainstream audiences as well as minority and special interests. Its programmes are independent and impartial in accordance with statutory requirements and RTÉ's own internal guidelines. RTÉ is accountable to the licence fee payer and the Oireachtas. The RTÉ Authority represents the public interest and publishes its Annual Report, outlining the organisation's annual performance and providing key statistics. As its listeners and viewers are central to RTÉ's concerns, it operates a range of feedback mechanisms including an Audience Council.

In most years RTÉ will receive approximately half of its income from licence fees and half from its commercial services. The current television licence fee is €160. The licence fee funds Irish public service broadcasting and provides the audience with a range of programmes and services. The licence fee amount is determined by the Government and is subject to annual review by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources based on certain criteria. The Department's web-site www.dcmnr.ie contains further information about Irish broadcasting policy.

RTÉ’s total income was €405 million and operating costs were €380.5 million for the year up to 31 December 2006, as detailed in the most recent audited accounts available in the RTÉ Annual Report 2006 (see www.rte.ie/about).

Page 9 of 48 Structure of RTÉ

RTÉ Authority

Director General Group Secretariat

Corporate Centre Finance/HR/Communications/Legal

Television IBD

Radio IBD

News & Current Affairs IBD

Performing Groups IBD

Publishing IBD

Network IBD

(IBD = Integrated Business Division)

RTÉ is overseen by the RTÉ Authority, which is appointed by the Government, and its day-to-day operations are run by the Executive Board, headed by the Director-General. The organisation is then structured into the seven divisions above, of which three are the output or programme divisions.

Page 10 of 48 The RTÉ Authority

Mary Finan was appointed to the Authority with effect from 21 February 2006. She wasa founding partner and chief executive of Wilson Hartnell Public Relations anis now its non-executive Chairman. Currently the non-executive Chairman of the Economic and Social Research Institute and of the Gate Theatre, she is a non-executive director of Canada Life (Ireland), the ICS Building Society and Opera Ireland. She is also a member of the Council of the Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) and was the first woman president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

The RTÉ Authority (pages 20-21) is a nine-member board and is appointed by the Government for a five year term. It acts as RTÉ’s Board, setting RTÉ's objectives and monitoring its performance.

Director-General As chief executive officer, the Director-General has overall responsibility for the organisation, including the management and development of RTÉ's services and output. The Director-General advises the Authority on the fulfilment of its statutory obligations, as well as making policy recommendations and reporting on the implementation of the policies adopted by the Authority. As Chair of the Executive Board, the Director- General leads the senior management group.

The RTÉ Executive Board The RTÉ Executive Board (page 21) is responsible for the day-to-day running of RTÉ and comprises senior management from Radio, Television, News and Current Affairs, Finance, Commercial, Communications and Human Resources.

RTÉ’s Divisions In 2003, RTÉ was structured into seven divisions. This refocused operations into distinct areas with devolved specialist support teams in each division providing the necessary production, commercial, financial, human resources, legal, communications and technology services. RTÉ has six wholly owned subsidiary companies: Seirbhísí Theilifís na Gaeilge Teoranta; RTÉ Transmission Network Ltd; DIT Network Company; RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd; RTÉ Music Ltd and RTÉ Licence Collections Ltd. Further details on RTÉ's subsidiary companies are available (pages 22- 23).

Page 11 of 48 Operations

1. Corporate Centre

Cathal Goan Telephone: 01 208 3473 Director-General Fax: 01 208 4532 RTÉ Dublin 4.

The Corporate Centre, led by the Director General, directs policy and provides overall management to RTÉ. Further details on the specialist areas are available (page 24).

2. Radio IBD Adrian Moynes Telephone: 01 2084522 Managing-Director Radio Fax: 01 208 4523 RTÉ Dublin 4

The Radio Division comprises RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ lyric fm, offering a combined total of 35,000 hours of home-production per annum, the majority home-produced. The Radio Board oversees the various departments within the division, namely Programmes, Sales, Finance, Planning and Co- ordination, Operations and the Press Unit. Further details on Radio, its stations and its operations are available (pages 25-29).

3. Television IBD

Noel Curran Telephone: 01 208 3120 Managing-Director Television Fax: 01 2083074 RTÉ Dublin 4.

The Television Division comprises RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. The Television Board oversees the various departments within the division which include Programmes, Broadcast and Acquisitions, Commercial, Finance and Operations. Further details on the Television Division are available (pages 30-35).

Page 12 of 48 4. News and Current Affairs IBD

Ed Mulhall Telephone: 01 208 4576 Managing-Director News and Fax: 01 208 2313 Current Affairs RTÉ Dublin 4.

RTÉ News and Current Affairs provides a range of bulletins and programmes for RTÉ Radio and Television in English and Irish. It provides a News service on RTÉ's three radio channels and on RTÉ's two television channels. It also supplies a News service to TG4 and to the RTÉ web-site. This Division is also responsible for current affairs programming on RTÉ One and coverage of special events, such as General Elections and state occasions. Further details of the News and Current Affairs Division and its editorial structures and output are available (pages 36-39).

5. Performing Groups IBD

Seamus Crimmins Telephone: 01 2083143 Executive Director Fax: 01 208 2511 Performing Groups RTÉ Dublin 4.

RTÉ's Performing Groups Division funds and manages five leading musical groups: the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, RTÉ Chóir na nÓg and the RTÉ Vanbrugh String Quartet. Further details on the structure, role and operations of RTÉ's Performing Groups are available (pages 40-42).

6. Publishing IBD

Múirne Laffan Telephone: 01 208 3123 Executive Director Fax: 01 208 3132 RTÉ Publishing RTÉ Dublin 4.

RTÉ's Publishing Division operates RTÉ.ie and RTÉ's free teletext service, Aertel, and produces programme related merchandise and publications, including the RTÉ Guide magazine. Further details on RTÉ Publishing, its range and revenue, are available (page 43-45).

Page 13 of 48 7. Network IBD

Michael Kehoe Telephone: 01 2082790 Executive Director Fax: 01 208 3091 RTÉ Transmission Network Ltd., (RTNL) RTÉ Dublin 4.

RTÉ's Network Division builds and operates the transmission facilities for RTÉ, the other national broadcasters - TV3 and Today FM - and some local and community radio stations. RTÉ has 127 sites nation-wide and also provides tower hosting services to a wide range of non-broadcasting customers. Further details on Network are available (pages 46-47).

RTÉ Documents, Policies and Procedures

The following documents are all available for download on the RTÉ website (www.rte.ie/about):

1. RTÉ's Vision, Mission and Values 2. Public Service Broadcasting Charter 3. RTÉ's Guiding Principles - Implementing the Public Service Broadcasting Charter 4. Statement of Commitments to our Audience Annual Reports 5. RTÉ Corporate Responsibility 2006 6. RTÉ and the BCC Report 2005 7. RTÉ's Programme, Standards and Guidelines 2007 8. Charter for RTÉ Internal Audit 2004 9. RTÉ Purchasing Policy 10. RTÉ Code of Business Conduct for Staff Members 11. Digital Television and Radio in Ireland 12. RTÉ's Programme Standards and Guidelines 2007 13. Brand Guidelines 14. Hire of RTÉ Production Facilities (Terms and Conditions) 15. Code of Fair Trading 16. Advertising with RTÉ 17. RTÉ.ie Website Usage Figures 2006 18. Airtime Terms and Conditions for Advertisers 19. Sponsorship Guidelines 2004

Page 14 of 48 Additional corporate literature and information is also available on the website. Further information on broadcasting policy, etc, relating to RTÉ is available from the following organisations and websites:

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland www.bci.ie

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission www.bcc.ie

The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland www.asai.ie

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources www.dcmnr.gov.ie

Further Information

Introduction

This section of the Reference Guide provides background information. Any further information or additional copies of this Guide are available on request from:

RTÉ Information Telephone: 01 208 3434 RTÉ E-mail: [email protected] Dublin 4. Fax: 01 208 3093

Section 15, Freedom of Information Act Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, requires the following of a public body: (a) a general description of its structure and organisation, functions, powers and duties, any services it provides for the public and the procedures by which any such services may be availed of by the public, (b) a general description of the classes of records held by it, giving such particulars as are reasonably necessary to facilitate the exercise of the right of access, (c) a general description of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 16 (1), (d) the arrangements made by the body (i) to enable a person to obtain access to records held by the body, (ii) to enable an individual to apply for the amendment of any such records that relate to personal information in respect of the individual, and

Page 15 of 48 (iii) to enable a person to whom section 18 (1) applies to obtain the information specified therein, (e) the names and designations of the members of the staff of the body responsible for carrying out the arrangements aforesaid (unless the head of the body reasonably believes that publication of that information could threaten the physical safety or well-being of the persons), (f) the address or addresses at which requests under section 7 or applications under section 17 or 18 should be given, (g) appropriate information concerning (i) any rights of review or appeal in respect of decisions made by the body (including rights of review and appeal under this Act), and (ii) the procedure governing the exercise of those rights and any time limits governing such exercise, (h) any other information that the head of the body considers relevant for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of the right of access, and (i) information in relation to such other matters (if any) as may be prescribed.

Page 16 of 48 Section 16, Freedom of Information Act Section 16 of the Act states as follows: 16.(1) A public body shall cause to be prepared and published and to be made available in accordance with subsection (5) (a) the rules, procedures, practices, guidelines and interpretations used by the body, and an index of any precedents kept by the body, for the purposes of decisions, determinations or recommendations, under or for the purposes of any enactment or scheme administered by the body with respect to rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, penalties or other sanctions to which members of the public are or may be entitled or subject under the enactment or scheme, and (b) appropriate information in relation to the manner or intended manner of administration of any such enactment or scheme.

Records under Freedom of Information Act A wide range of records is held in various divisions as follows:

• The offices of the Director-General and Secretariat keep records of correspondence with government, lobby groups, other broadcasting operations and the general public. • The Radio, Television and News and Current Affairs Divisions keep records involving expenditure, contracts, musical returns, etc. • The Finance Division holds full records of all transactions relating to Payroll, Artists’ Fees, Expenses, Travel, Creditors and Debtors, Purchasing, Management Budgeting and Accounting • The Network Division keeps records relating to the maintenance and development of the network and third party services on the network. • The Human Resources areas in each division keep records on all employees and contract staff.

RTÉ's Complaints Procedures

RTÉ's Complaints Process If members of the public are of the opinion that a programme or a segment of a programme is not satisfactory or has breached the Programme-Makers' Guidelines they are entitled to complain either in writing or by e-mail. Initially the complaint should be addressed directly to the programme or the relevant department if known (e.g. News).

Complainants may also write to:

Head of Public Affairs Policy RTÉ Dublin 4. E-mail: [email protected]

Page 17 of 48 If the complainant is not satisfied with RTÉ's response, s/he may seek a review of the original complaint and the response. The review will always be carried out by someone more senior than the person issuing the original reply.

Request for a review should be addressed to:

Complaints Review c/o Head of Public Affairs Policy RTÉ Dublin 4. E-mail: [email protected]

There is a right of external appeal to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission The Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) was established under the 1976 Broadcasting Act. The BCC is an independent statutory body whose remit extends to all licensed radio and television broadcasters in the republic. They adjudicate upon complaints relating to issues such as:

• Objectivity and impartiality in News • Objectivity, impartiality and fairness in Current Affairs • Breaches of the BCI General Advertising Code • Breaches of the BCI Code of Programme Standards • Invasions of privacy • Breaches of The Children’s Advertising Code

When the BCC receives a complaint about a matter broadcast on RTÉ they forward a copy of the complaint to RTÉ. RTÉ is given three weeks to submit a response to the complaint. If the complainant does not accept the RTÉ response, the BCC adjudicates. All responses to the BCC are handled by RTÉ's Head of Public Affairs Policy. The decisions of the BCC are published in the RTÉ Guide and where a complaint is upheld it is broadcast in the same time slot as the programme that led to the complaint.

Page 18 of 48 The Broadcasting Acts: key sections The key Acts specifically concerning RTÉ are the Broadcasting Acts 1960, 1976 and 2001. The 1960 Broadcasting Act enabled RTÉ to establish and maintain a national television and sound broadcasting service (radio).

Public Service character of RTÉ Section 16 of the 1960 Act, which set out the basic function and obligations of RTÉ, was significantly augmented by Section 28 of the Broadcasting Act, 2001. This provides legal clarity on the requirement of the public service character of RTÉ’s national television and radio service. This came about as a result of developments in European law, specifically the assessment in Competition law terms of the funding of public service broadcasters in Europe and the adoption of the Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam dealing with public service broadcasting.

Section 28(1) provides that RTÉ’s services “shall have the character of a public service, continue to be a free-to-air service and be made available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland and the Authority shall have all such powers as are necessary for or incidental to that purpose.”

Section 28 (2) legislated for the public service nature of RTÉ's schedules, stating that RTÉ must: (a) provide a comprehensive range of programmes in the Irish and English languages that reflect the cultural diversity of the whole island of Ireland and include…programmes that entertain, inform and educate, provide coverage of sporting, religious and cultural activities and cater for the expectations of the community generally as well as members of the community with special or minority interests, and which, in every case, respect human dignity. (b) provide programmes of news and current affairs in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament (c) facilitate or assist contemporary cultural expression and encourage or promote innovation and experimentation in broadcasting.

The law does not define some programmes as public service and others as non-public service or commercial. Instead it allows for schedules which meet the test of public service by including broad categories of programmes as described above. Among the important characteristics of public service broadcasting are:

• Freedom from political control or influence • Fairness • Accuracy • Impartiality • Objectivity • Independence from vested interests

In addition to these characteristics RTÉ’s output across radio, television and new media strives to include:

Page 19 of 48

• High quality schedules available to all (i.e. free to air) • A significant proportion of programming originating in Ireland • Schedules that include programming for minority groups and interests • Schedules that respect the views of the audience and enhances their cultural aspirations • Programming that recognises regional interests and cultural diversity • Programming that encourages understanding and tolerance • Programming which is imaginative and original

Irish Culture Section 17 of the 1960 Act deals with a general duty of RTÉ with respect to national aims of “restoring the Irish language and preserving and developing the national culture”. This section was later modified in the 1976 Broadcasting Act to take account of new membership of the EU and also the political situation in Northern Ireland, where “the need for understanding and peace within the whole island of Ireland" was affirmed.

Objectivity, impartiality, fairness and privacy obligations Section 18 of the 1960 Act, as amended in 1976, contains important statutory provisions relating to objectivity, impartiality, fairness and privacy in RTÉ broadcasts. RTÉ is also prohibited from incitement to crime or tending to undermine the authority of the State.

The RTÉ Authority The role of the Authority includes approving RTÉ’s business plans, organisational policies, programme schedules, budgets and capital programmes and ensuring RTÉ fulfils its corporate governance responsibilities. The current Authority was appointed in 2005 for three years. The RTÉ Executive Board reports to the Authority via the Director-General.

Members of the RTÉ Authority

Mary Finan (Chair) Emer Finnan Maria Killian Patricia King Ian Malcolm Úna Ní Chonaire Patrick Marron Stephen O'Byrnes Joe O’Brien

Page 20 of 48 Powers and obligations of the RTÉ Authority

The Broadcasting Acts set out the legal powers and obligations concerning the RTÉ Authority, including its method of appointment. In Ireland, as in many other countries, the Government appoints the members of the public service broadcasting authority. In popular understanding, they are selected as trustees of the public interest. It is their duty to see that RTÉ fulfils its statutory responsibilities.

The Authority was established in the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960. Section 4 of that Act stated that there should be not less than seven and not more than nine members of the Authority and that the period of office should not exceed five years. The Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976, Section 2, stated that a member of the Authority may be removed if resolutions are passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. This power of removal only by a vote of the Oireachtas demonstrates how highly the independence of that trusteeship is regarded by the State.

The Broadcastng Authority (Amendment) Act, 1993, Section 7, addressed the issue of gender balance in the membership of the Authority (i.e. a seven person Authority must comprise at least three men and three women and an eight or nine person Authority must have at least four men and four women). A tradition has emerged of the appointment of one member of the RTÉ staff to the Authority. Like all other members of the Authority, the staff member is required to have regard for the public interest as their first concern.

The RTÉ Executive Board

Director-General Cathal Goan Chief Financial Officer Conor Hayes Managing-Director News and Current Affairs Ed Mulhall Managing-Director Radio Adrian Moynes Managing-Director Television Noel Curran Director of Communications Bride Rosney

Page 21 of 48 RTÉ Subsidiary Companies

RTÉ has six wholly owned subsidiary companies:

1. RTÉ Transmission Network Limited This company is responsible for RTÉ's transmission network and associated facilities. It provides RTÉ and third parties with transmission and other telecommunications facilities.

Board: Vacant (Chairman) Cathal Goan Conor Hayes Brendan Crinion Michael Kehoe Tom Quinn (and Company Secretary)

2. DTT Network Company This unlimited company is a constituent part of the separation of RTÉ's transmission and related facilities from RTÉ.

Board: Vacant (Chairman) Cathal Goan Conor Hayes Tom Quinn (and Company Secretary)

3. RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Limited This company is involved in publishing, including the RTÉ Guide, and programme sales.

Board: Stephen O'Byrnes (Chairman) Cathal Goan Conor Hayes Tom Quinn (and Company Secretary)

4. RTÉ Music Limited This company is a wholly owned subsidiary of RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Limited and is involved in music publishing.

Page 22 of 48 Board: Stephen O'Byrnes (Chairman) Cathal Goan Conor Hayes Tom Quinn (and Company Secretary)

5. Seirbhísí Theilifís na Gaeilge Teoranta Seirbhisí Theilifís na Gaeilge Teoranta was established to ensure that TG4 functioned as a stand-alone unit while under the aegis of RTÉ. In 2007 TG4 became a separate statutory body.

Board: Dr Peter Bacon (Chairman) Cathal Goan Conor Hayes Caitríona Murphy Pól Ó Gallchóir Tom Quinn

6. RTÉ Licence Collections Limited Established to administer RTÉ’s involvement in the collection of the broadcasting licence fee.

Board: Paddy Marron (Chairman) Conor Hayes Tom Quinn (and Company Secretary)

Page 23 of 48 RTÉ Integrated Business Divisions (IBDs)

1. RTÉ Corporate Centre

Role

The Corporate Division directs policy and provides overall management to RTÉ. It is divided into senior specialist areas (see below) providing financial, legal, human resources, communications and technology services.

Corporate Centre Structure

Director-General

Group Secretariat Internal Audit Finance Communications Legal Affairs

Publishing Human resources

Network Audience Research

IT Public Affairs

Property & Services

Technology

Corporate Centre Operations

Finance Finance directs the organisation's financial strategy and provides analysis and reports on RTÉ's costs and revenues. Corporate Legal Affairs Corporate Legal Affairs provides legal advice on corporate issues, contracts, programme content and commercial matters.

Page 24 of 48 Communications Communications promotes the organisation and its policies. It manages corporate media relations; liases with various bodies including political, Government and social organisations; publishes corporate communications and organises public events and corporate sponsorships. Audience Research provides qualitative and quantitative analysis to the organisation and programme makers. The Public Affairs Policy area is responsible for the Freedom of Information Act, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, Data Protection Acts and the Programme-Makers' guidelines. Corporate Human Resources Corporate Human Resources oversees and develops RTÉ's HR policy and strategy. Internal Audit Internal Audit provides independent and objective assurance on risks and controls to the Authority and management and assists the organisation in fulfilling its corporate governance responsibilities. Corporate Property and Services Corporate Property and Services maintains the existing physical infrastructure, accommodation needs, security, printing, reception and telecoms for all Divisions in RTÉ. Corporate Technology Corporate Technology ensures that RTÉ is fully supported by the necessary technological systems and procedures. This includes business systems and infrastructural developments.

Page 25 of 48 2. RTÉ Radio IBD

Role

RTÉ Radio broadcasts four channels: RTÉ Radio I, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ lyric fm. In addition RTÉ Radio is responsible for the roll out of RTÉ’s digital radio (DAB) services.

Radio Structure Managing Director Radio

RTÉ Radio 1

RTÉ Lyric FM

RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta

RTÉ 2FM

Operations

Regional Operations

Commercial

Finance

Radio Board Members

Managing-Director, Radio Adrian Moynes Head of RTÉ Radio 1 Ana Leddy Head of Operations, Radio J.P. Coakley Manager, Regional Operations Cyril Ryan Commercial Director, Radio Antony Whittall Finance Director, Radio Kieran Barry Head of Production, Cork Colm Crowley Head of RTÉ 2fm John Clarke

Page 26 of 48 Radio Operations

1 RTÉ Radio 1

Role

RTÉ Radio 1 is Ireland's leading national radio station with a daily audience of approximately 1.5 million. It is primarily speech-based and provides a lively and comprehensive schedule of news, current affairs, music, drama and variety, features, agriculture, education, religion and sport across 24 hours. RTÉ Radio 1 broadcasts on FM, medium wave and long wave.

Structure RTÉ Radio 1 Editorial Management

Head of RTÉ Radio 1 Ana Leddy Current Affairs Editor Ian Noctor Features, Arts and Drama Editor Lorelei Harris Sports, Music and Irish Language Editor Paddy Glackin Regional and Agriculture Editor Tom McGuire

Operations

The editorial team is responsible for programme standards and ensures adherence to RTÉ's Programme-Makers' Guidelines. Issues covered include fairness, accuracy and impartiality; the use of swearing and offensive language and sponsorship and commercial considerations.

2 RTÉ 2fm

Role RTÉ 2fm is RTÉ's national popular entertainment and music station aimed at a 15-35 audience.

Structure The station is managed by the Head of RTÉ 2fm with a small team of producers, researchers and support staff

Page 27 of 48

Head of RTÉ 2fm John Clarke Producer-in-Charge Ian Wilson, Live and Alternative Music Producer-in-Charge Siobhán Hough, Gerry Ryan Show Producer-in-Charge Aidan Leonard, Music Programming

Operations Broadcasting 24 hours a day, RTÉ 2fm has a commitment to recording and developing Irish musical talent. It broadcasts concerts by major acts and also provides studio time to emerging artists. The station provides access to Transition Year students for programme-making and presentation. The RTÉ 2fm Roadcaster brings live broadcasts from musical events and locations throughout Ireland. The RTÉ 2fm web-site has a track record of firsts, including video streams from world leading artists ranging from U2 to Westlife.

3 RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Role RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's mandate is to provide a comprehensive national Irish language radio service as part of RTÉ’s public broadcasting remit. It offers a diverse schedule of news and current affairs, magazine programmes, music, sport, discussion and entertainment. Established in 1972, it now broadcasts 24 hours a day.

Structure An Ceannaire (Head) has overall responsibility for Raidió na Gaeltachta. An Leascheannaire is responsible for Finance, HR and Publicity and also deputises for An Ceannaire. Together with two Managing Editors (News and Programmes) and three Regional Managers, each of whom has responsibility for the full range of staff resources and activities in his/her Region, they comprise the Raidió na Gaeltachta management team (An Coiste Bainistíochta). The Coiste is ultimately responsible for the output, management, organisation and development of the service.

Raidió na Gaeltachta Editorial Management Ceannaire Edel Ní Chuireáin Leascheannaire Dónall Ó Braonáin Eagarthóir Stiúrtha, Nuacht Áine Ni Dhíoraí Eagarthóir Stiúrtha, Cláracha Seán Ó hÉanaigh Bainisteoir Réigiúin an Tuaiscirt Séamus Mac Géidigh(Doire Beaga) Bainisteoir Réigiúin an Deiscirt Jeaic Ó Muircheartaigh (Baile na nGall)

Operations

Page 28 of 48 In addition to Raidió na Gaeltachta's studios at its headquarters in Casla in Connemara, the station has studios and staff in Baile na nGall, West Kerry; Doire Beaga, Co. Donegal; Castlebar, Co. Mayo and at the RTÉ headquarters in Dublin. Recent developments include the establishment of links via high quality ISDN lines to the smaller Gaeltacht communities of Ráth Cairn, Co. Meath, Paróiste na Dromad in South Kerry and An Rinn, in Co. Waterford. Regular use is also made of RTÉ studios in Galway, Limerick, Belfast, Sligo, Waterford, and Derry.

4 RTÉ lyric fm

Role RTÉ lyric fm is RTÉ’s music and arts channel. The core programming is classical music, but the station also caters for opera, jazz, traditional, choral, contemporary and world music audiences, as well as broadcasting music from the stage and screen.

Structure The station is managed by the Head of RTÉ lyric fm with a small team of producers, researchers and other support staff.

Head of RTÉ lyric fm Aodán Ó Dubhghaill Producer-in-Charge Olga Buckley

Operations Operating since May 1999, RTÉ lyric fm broadcasts 24 hours from RTÉ's Limerick studios. Its distinct schedule of mainly accessible classical music throughout the day is enhanced with weekly concerts by the RTÉ performing groups, celebrity recitals and live or recorded major Irish musical festivals.

Radio Support Services

Sales, Radio Sales Department, Radio, comprises three areas: Sales/Sponsorship, Promotions and Marketing, which are responsible for maintaining and increasing revenue for RTÉ Radio One, RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ lyric fm while supporting RTÉ's public service remit. A Copy Committee approves advertisement content before transmission to ensure compliance with statutory, industry and local standards. Planning and Co-ordination, Radio Radio’s Planning and Co-ordination section is responsible for the technical and operational planning and on-air delivery of the Radio programme schedules. It also makes and schedules "promos" or advertisements for programmes. It is in regular

Page 29 of 48 contact with the regional studios and the programme areas of the Radio Division, the News Division and Production Facilities (Radio). Finance, Radio The Finance section provides analysis and reports for all Radio Division revenue and costs covering Radio 1, 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Radio Facilities and the Regions. It is actively involved in Radio operations, ensuring full assessment of the business and financial implications for Radio IBD of significant management decisions. Press and Public Relations, Radio The Press and PR section, comprising two officers, includes publicity, media relations, event management and branding for Radio. It produces a weekly electronic press pack to the national and provincial media. Operations, Radio Radio Operations brings together the people, systems and facilities that support programme-making in RTÉ Radio. These sections are:

Technical Resources (including Sound Operations, Outside Broadcasts and Production Planning and Control) Human Resources and Audio Services and Archive (including Sound Library, Sound Archives and Radio Archive Project). In addition, Radio Operations manages Radio's internal infrastructure and assets and Service Level Agreements with other divisions. Regional Facilities Regional Facilities provides production, technical and IT support for all regional studios.

Page 30 of 48 3. RTÉ Television IBD

Role

RTÉ Television produces distinctive and relevant Irish programming across a range of genres, aiming to maximise RTÉ's market share and bring publicly funded programming to the greatest possible number of viewers while still retaining a public service ethos. RTÉ Television provides a comprehensive service across its two complementary channels, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. 336 hours of programmes are broadcast each week. RTÉ Television is the market leader in Ireland, winning a national peak-time share of 45% in a highly competitive market (Source: Nielsen Ratings, 2006, All Individuals).

Television Structure

Managing Director

Television Board

Commercial Finance Programmes Broadcasting/ Operations Acquisitions

Television Board Members

Managing-Director, Television Noel Curran Director of Programmes, Television Clare Duignan Director of Broadcast and Acquisitions Dermot Horan Director of Operations, Television John Hunt Commercial Director, Television Geraldine O’Leary Group Head of Sport, Television Glen Killane

Page 31 of 48 Television Operations

Programmes Home-productions are produced either “in-house", from RTÉ’s own programme- making staff, or commissioned from independent producers, via RTÉ Television’s Independent Productions Unit (IPU). Almost all Current Affairs, Sport, Irish language and Young Peoples' programmes are made at the RTÉ Studios. Factual, Entertainment and Drama programmes comprise both RTÉ productions and IPU commissions. The IPU commissions programmes from the independent production sector, as required under Irish law and EU directive.

The IPU instigates one or more commissioning rounds per year, where Independent Producers are invited to submit programme proposals under a range of programme categories. Submissions are assessed under agreed criteria and, following contractual agreement on editorial, creative and financial matters, companies are commissioned to produce the programme or series. See www.rte/ipu.ie for full details on the IPU and its commissioning policies and rounds.

RTÉ’s team of Commissioning Editors, supported by Assistant Commissioning Editors, is responsible for the development and production of programme content in their respective subject areas, both in-house and independently commissioned programmes. They manage the budgets and staff for their areas and take a key role in shaping the schedules from season to season. The Commissioning Editors also ensure compliance with RTÉ's Programme-Makers' Guidelines, which are designed to assist both in-house staff and independent producers. Issues addressed include standards of taste and decency; broadcasting and violence; children and broacdcasting and recognising marginalised groups.

Commissioning Editors, Television

Assistant Director, Television Programmes Mary Curtis

Factual Programming Commissioning Editor, Factual Kevin Dawson Commissioning Editor, Daytime and Lifestyle Gráinne McAleer Assistant Commissioning Editor, Factual Vacant Assistant Commissioning Editor, Daytime and Niamh Farren Lifestyle.

Young People's and Regional Programming

Page 32 of 48 Commissioning Editor, Regional Ray McCarthy Programming Commissioning Editor, Young People’s Sheila De Courcy Programmes Assistant Commissioning Editor, Young Tonyia Dowling People’s and Factual programmes

Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Entertainment Eddie Doyle Assistant Commissioning Editor, Julian Vignoles Entertainment

Irish language, Multi-Cultural and Educational Commissioning Editor, Irish language, Multi- Mairéad Ní Nuadháin Cultural and Educational Programmes

Drama Commissioning Editor, Drama Jane Gogan

Sport Commissioning Editor/Group Head of Sport Glen Killane Religion Religious Editor Fr Dermod McCarthy

Television’s Programme Support Services

Broadcast and Acquisitions Department, Television Broadcast and Acquisitions is responsible for the scheduling, broadcasting and promotion for RTÉ Television's output. It comprises the following units:

Acquisitions, Scheduling and Traffic, Presentation, Promotions, Transmission, Press and Publicity, Merchandising and International Sales.

Acquisitions Acquisitions licences the 10,800 hours of programming for RTÉ which are neither made in-house nor commissioned. These include movies and key series such as Friends, E.R., Home and Away, The Simpsons and Eastenders.

Page 33 of 48 Scheduling Scheduling produces competitive schedules for both RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. It aims to reflect RTÉ’s public service remit as the National Public Service Broadcaster while at the same time ensuring that RTÉ Television’s audience share remains strong across a range of demographics in an increasingly competitive market.

Traffic Traffic collates and prepares all tapes for transmission and manages the team of Acceptance Viewers which assesses both the content and technical quality of all acquired and commissioned programmes before they are broadcast.

Presentations and Promotions Presentation and Promotions includes on-air Presentation, Continuity, Promotions, Subtitling and Weather. RTÉ has invested substantially in subtitling in recent times and has achieved over 70% subtitling of RTÉ One's prime-time schedule.

Press and Publicity Press and Publicity publicises and manages the press relations for RTÉ television programmes and RTÉ Television. A team of six press officers are dedicated to the publicity and press relations of specific genres of commissioned, acquired and in-house produced programming. The area also manages billings provision to press.

Transmission Transmission ensures the delivery of the planned schedule to the viewer. The area staff includes Transmission Editors, Broadcast Engineers, Continuity Announcers, Weather Forecasters, Subtitling and Captioning staff. RTÉ has a contract with Met Éireann, the State's meteorological service, for all RTÉ radio and television broadcasts.

Merchandising Recent commercial projects include the RTÉ Off the Rails Live fashion show and exhibition, videos, CDs and DVDs including Bachelor's Walk, The Late Late Show, Other Voices, The Island and Give Up Yer Auld Sins. International Sales International Sales distributes RTÉ programmes internationally. The UK based All3 Media International (formerly Chrysalis Group) is contracted by RTÉ to distribute fully-funded commissioned IPU programmes. Commercial, Television Commercial activities within Television centre on the sales and marketing of advertising time and the sponsorship of television programmes. The area has specialist skills in sales, promotions and marketing and it is the largest revenue-earning section of RTÉ. RTÉ Commercial competes with twelve other television stations which now accept advertising aimed at the Irish audience. RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4 are each restricted to an average of six commercial minutes per hour and a maximum of seven and a half minutes in any one hour.

Operations Department, Television Operations Department, Television, comprises the following sections:

Page 34 of 48 Production Planning and Control; Production Resources; Technology; Human Resources; Library and Archives.

Production, Planning & Control, Television Production, Planning & Control (PP&C), Television, is responsible for the planning and delivery of production resources for programmes. The Head of Production Planning and Co-ordination works closely with the Director of Programmes and the Commissioning Editors to formulate their requirements into Long Term Production Schedules. The Planning Managers work closely with the various Producers assisting and advising them as to how their plans can be best achieved in an efficient and cost effective manner. The PP&C Office is responsible for the production of the Short Term Schedule and its delivery to the Studios on a daily basis.

Production Resources, Television The key units are: Staging, Make-up, Wardrobe, Production Design, Props Buying, Graphics, Editing, VTR (video tape recording), Capgen (caption generation), CEL (commercial) editing. Studio Cameras, Studio Lighting, Studio Electrical, Autocue and Vision Mixing. TV Sound, Post Production Sound, EFP (electronic field production) Cameras, EFP Electrical, Floor Managers and Stage Managers.

Technology, Television The Technology staff provide the full technological support for Television. Skills within the area range from broadcast engineering, electronic engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, satellite engineering and Information Technology.

The Technology section comprises the following units: External Operations; Master Control, Technical Operations; International Unit, Television.

External Operations Television External Operations Television provides a full technical service in relation to all incoming and outgoing circuits. These include programme feeds and communications to and from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), regional studios, outside broadcasts, satellite feeds internationally, including RTÉ's studios abroad in London, Brussels and Washington.

Cork Production Centre RTÉ Cork is RTÉ's biggest production base outside of Dublin. RTÉ spends approximately €3m in Cork annually producing programmes for RTÉ Radio, Television and News. RTÉ Cork is a large well equipped studio complex consisting of two television studios, six edit suites and significant office space, located centrally near the South Mall in Cork city. RTÉ Cork also provides facilities and services to other visiting programmes, internally and externally.

Master Control, Television

Page 35 of 48 Master Control, Television, provides a comprehensive technical service to Presentation for both RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. It also monitors network transmitters and transposers.

Technical Operations, Television Technical Operations staff provide comprehensive technical services to all of the nine television studios and to the three sound stages.

International Unit, Television International Unit, Television, provides booking services for incoming and outgoing programme circuits, including links to external contributors and communications circuits for Television Programmes, RTÉ News and Current Affairs and other broadcasters.

Human Resources, Television Human Resources, Television, is responsible for recruitment and selection, appointments, contracts of employment, training and development and providing a HR service to staff and management in the Television Division.

Library and Archives, Television Library and Archives Television stores home-produced and IPU programmes. The area holds over 160,000 tapes. Libraries and Archives is a key provider of information and research services to programme makers and corporate clients. It is de facto a national repository for Ireland's audio-visual heritage.

Legal Services, Television Legal Services, Television, deals with issuing commercial, production and talent contracts and agreements copyright clearance issues and music returns to the collection societies.

Finance, Television Finance, Television, provides a comprehensive costing and reporting service to meet the management information needs of the Television Division. Particular services include budgeting, programme and production costing and management of the underlying reporting systems.

Page 36 of 48 4. News and Current Affairs IBD

Role

The editorial policy of RTÉ News, as Ireland's public service broadcaster, is to provide trustworthy, balanced, comprehensive and objective reporting of national and international news to an Irish audience. The RTÉ Programme-Makers' Guidelines provides rules and guidelines on issues such as privacy, protection of journalists' sources, the use of reconstruction in News and Documentaries and the use of "vox pops".

News and Current Affairs Structure

MD News & Current Affairs

News Current Affairs Operation

Radio Programmes Finance

Nuacht/TG4 Special Events Administration

TV Human Resources

News Desk Press & PR

Foreign Desk

Correspondents & Reporters

Regions

Foreign Officers

Production Staff

Page 37 of 48 News and Current Affairs Editorial Management

Managing Director Ed Mulhall Managing Editors Michael Good, Cillian de Paor Editor, Current Affairs David Nally Editor, Nuacht TG4 Michael Lally News Editors Ray Burke, Donal Byrne, Fiona Mitchell Planning Editor Mary Campbell

Television Programme Editors Morgan O’Kelly, Mary Butler, Pat Brennan, Donagh McGrath, Dymphna Moroney

Television Deputy Programme Editors Conor Fennell, Janet Martin

Foreign Editor Cathy Milner

Radio Series Editors Hilary McGouran, Shane McElhatton,

Radio Programme Editors Gerald Barry, Bernadette O’Sullivan, Niall Martin, Oonagh Smyth, Barbara Fitzgerald, Lisa Pereira

Editor, RTÉ 2fm News Vincent Delaney

Eagarthóir, RTÉ Nuacht Brona Nic Amhlaoibh

Current Affairs Executive Producers John O’Regan (Special Events) Angela Daly, Máire Kearney, Brian Páirceir (Prime Time), Deirdre Younge (Editor, Questions and Answers)

Page 38 of 48 News and Current Affairs Operations

RTÉ News and Current Affairs provides a range of bulletins and programmes for RTÉ Radio and Television in English and Irish. In 2003, the Division delivered over 1,000 hours of Television News and Current Affairs programming, as well as a daily half-hour on TG4, and almost 2,000 hours on RTÉ Radio.

The RTÉ Newsroom has offices in Belfast, London, Brussels and Washington, a Newsroom at TG4's headquarters in Connemara and eight regional correspondents based around the country and a network of Nuacht regional staff. In addition to the Chief News Correspondent and three Political Correspondents (two working for RTÉ News and one for RTÉ Nuacht), it has specialist correspondents in the following areas: Economics, Agriculture and Defence, Religious and Social Affairs, Legal Affairs, Industry and Employment, Business, Health, Marine, Crime, Environment and Education and Science.

Current Affairs: Prime Time is RTÉ's flagship current affairs programme. It transmits twice weekly, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, following the 9 o'clock News. It has an investigative strand, Prime Time Investigates, which features hour-long programmes with in-depth research on topics of national interest. Current Affairs also includes the discussion programme Questions and Answers, where an invited audience puts questions to a chosen panel each week. It is also responsible for coverage of special events, such as General Elections and State occasions.

Some Current Affairs programming on Radio is provided by the Radio Division (see above).

News and Current Affairs Support Services

Finance Finance provides a financial management support service within the News and Current Affairs Division. Activities include financial and quantitative reporting and budgeting. Administration Administration manages all aspect of administration support for the News and Current Affairs Division.

Operations Operations provides Production Resource Facilities and Technology support, including managing the capital expenditure programme of the Division. Technology Technology is responsible for planning, design, implementation, research and development and technology policy issues within the Division.

Page 39 of 48 News Facilities News Facilities is responsible for the day to day scheduling and management of Camera Crews, Video Editors, Satellite Engineers and other News acquisition personnel. Human Resources Human Resources is responsible for recruitment and selection, appointments, contracts of employment, training and development, industrial relations and the maintenance of personnel records for all staff in the News and Current Affairs Division. Press and Public Relations Press and Public Relations handles media relations; cross-promotional publicity within the News Division and to Radio and Television; event management; branding and liaison with Corporate Communications on merchandising.

Current programming from the News and Current Affairs Division includes:

Television • 1pm, 6.01, 9pm bulletins • news2day (News programme for children) • RTÉ News on Two • Nuacht • Nationwide • Seachtain • The Week in Politics

Current Affairs • Prime Time • Prime Time Investigates • Questions and Answers • Several documentaries are also produced by the Division each year.

Radio • Morning Ireland • News at One • This Week • Newsbeat • World Report • 28 News bulletins per day on RTÉ 2fm • 28 News bulletins per day on RTÉ Radio 1 • 9 News bulletins per day on RTÉ lyric fm • 3 News bulletins per day on RTÉ Nuacht

Page 40 of 48 5. RTÉ Performing Groups IBD

Role

RTÉ, through its five performing groups and the employment of 148 full-time professional musicians, is the main provider in Ireland in the areas of professional classical and orchestral performance, broadcast and recording as well as being a major contributor to professional opera and the commissioning of new music.

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and RTÉ Cór na nÓg give over 200 live performances annually throughout Ireland to a live audience in excess of 100,000. Through integration with the RTÉ broadcast services, a significant number of these performances and recordings are brought free-to-air to audiences all over Ireland and to a world-wide audience via the European Broadcasting Union and RTÉ's web-site. The performing groups’ extensive discography includes critically acclaimed commercial recordings by both orchestras on the Naxos label and recordings of new Irish music, an area in which the RTÉ performing groups makes a significant contribution through an active commissioning programme, performances and broadcasts of new work.

Performing Groups Structure

Executive Director

General Manager

National Symphony Orchestra

Concert Orchestra

Regional, New Music & Recording

Philharmonic Choir

Vanbrugh Quartet

Cór. Na nÓg

Business& Operations

Marketing & Communications

Human Resources

Finance

Page 41 of 48 Performing Groups Operations

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra The RTÉ National Symphony employs 89 staff musicians. The orchestra’s performing output revolves around regular public performances, schools concerts through the Music in the Classroom series in association with The Irish Times and associated radio broadcasts of the standard contemporary symphonic repertoire as well as a busy recording schedule on the Naxos/Marco-Polo labels. Most of its activity is in Dublin with regular regional touring, residencies and occasional international touring.

RTÉ Concert Orchestra The RTÉ Concert Orchestra employs 45 staff musicians. The orchestra’s performing output is centred on smaller-scale classical repertoire; opera in partnership with Opera Ireland; an extensive programme of light entertainment and family concerts; schools’ concerts through the Music in the Classroom series in association with The Irish Times and associated radio broadcasts and commercial recording. Most of its performances are in Dublin with regular regional touring and occasional international touring.

RTÉ Philharmonic Choir The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir is an amateur orchestral chorus of 150, working principally with the RTÉ Orchestras in the performance of large-scale choral works as well as giving solo concerts/broadcasts on occasion. The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir has recorded on the Naxos and Argo labels.

RTÉ Cór na nÓg RTÉ Cór na nÓg and the RTÉ Cór na nÓg Training Choir provide choral training and performance opportunities for children from 8 to 14 years. In addition to performances with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Cór na nÓg broadcasts regularly on television and radio and has been involved in several recordings.

RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet Based in Cork, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet offers on an extensive programme of concerts, broadcasts and recordings both in Ireland and internationally. The quartet’s work in Ireland is focused on regular performance in Dublin and Cork as well as a high level of activity at regional level. The quartet are founders of, and annual performers in, the internationally acclaimed West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

Page 42 of 48 Performing Group Management/Administration

Central Services & Support Headed by the Director of Music, this unit is responsible for the general co-ordination of the five performing groups, financial, human resources and concerts management, regional initiatives, special projects and recordings across all the performing groups.

Marketing & Communications Headed by the General Manager, Marketing and Communications, this unit is responsible for marketing and communications activity in support of the five performing groups, internal and external communications and revenue generation ranging from box-office to corporate sponsorship.

Page 43 of 48 6. RTÉ Publishing IBD

Role

RTÉ's Publishing Division is a leading digital content provider and publisher, to both the public and the communications industry, across the web, teletext, mobile and print platforms. The division also incubates new digital non-broadcast technologies on behalf of other RTÉ divisions and operates the infrastructure for the delivery of RTÉ Online, RTÉ Aertel and SMS (text-messaging) services for all of RTÉ. RTÉ Publishing achieved revenue of €15.5 m in 2003.

Publishing Structure

Executive Director

RTÉ Guide ePublishing Technology Commercial Finance

Editorial Editorial Development & RTÉ Guide Human IT Sales Resources

Production Sport Online & Aertel Circulation Sales

Design RTÉ Guide Marketing Entertainment

On Business Commercial Telecom

Nuacht

Programme Sites TV & Radio

Design & Production

Page 44 of 48 Publishing Operations

RTÉ Publishing provides the following services:

• RTÉ Guide • RTÉ Aertel • RTÉ.ie (www.rte.ie) • Audience Participation (SMS and IVR services) • Content

The division is organised as follows: RTÉ Guide The RTÉ Guide is Ireland's biggest selling magazine since its inception 42 years ago and currently it has an average weekly sale of 118,263,000 copies and has 415,000 weekly readers in a highly competitive market (source: Audit Bureau of Circulation, 2003) This area also publishes programme-related material. RTÉ e-Publishing Department The RTÉ web-site, RTÉ Aertel and content syndication to non-broadcast platforms are the responsibility of RTÉ e-Publishing. RTÉ's electronic publications reflect the core editorial values of the RTÉ television and radio services while meeting the new demands of evolving markets such as Digital Text.

RTÉ.ie RTÉ.ie operates RTÉ's web-site, www.rte.ie, the primary provider of Irish multimedia content on the Worldwide Web with an audience of approximately 300,000 (source: JNIR, 2003). It offers extensive coverage of news, current affairs, sport, business and entertainment in text, audio and video formats, live and archived, free of charge. The primary source of revenue for RTÉ.ie is advertising, sponsorships and content provision to other web-sites. In addition to up-to-the minute news, business, sport and entertainment coverage, special sites covering major events such as Budgets, The Olympics, the Six Nations' Cup, are established throughout the year to up-date users of fast changing events.

RTÉ Aertel RTÉ Aertel provides a premier teletext service for RTÉ’s two television channels (RTÉ One and RTÉ Two). It has an audience of more than 1.8 million users of which approximately 900,000 are aged 15 - 34. It offers a number of services including breaking news service, sports results, entertainment, business, television index, travel, competitions, classifieds, stocks and shares and weather forecast. The primary sources of revenue for RTÉ Aertel are page leasings, sponsorships and revenue share competitions.

Commercial Telecoms This area is responsible for generating revenue from commercial mobile/fixed line services for all RTÉ platforms. SMS (text messaging) and IVR (premium phone lines)

Page 45 of 48 services are integrated into RTÉ Television and Radio programmes, RTÉ Aertel and the RTÉ Guide. The majority of these services are premium rate billed services.

SMS and IVR services include voting, competition entry, polling, viewer text-to-screen comment lines, ordering of programme fact-sheets and ring-tones. In addition, Young Peoples’ Programmes employs text services for a range of viewer services such as Text- to-Screen and Polling. Such programmes include ID, S@ttitude and The Den. Services for 2004 include real-time audience text quizzing and the marketing by SMS of RTÉ programmes such as The Big Bow Wow.

Technology Development This group is responsible for the incubation of all new technological development across RTÉ. Technology Development is also responsible for the facilitation of content delivery in new commercial formats and for the technology infrastructure for RTÉ., i.e., RTÉ Aertel and SMS and IVR campaigns across RTÉ.

Page 46 of 48 7. RTÉ Network IBD

Role

RTÉ Network designs, builds and develops the national transmitter network for RTÉ and other services on a commercial basis.

Network Structure

Executive Director

Admin/Tech Support

Capital Projects Manager

Finance Manager

Human Resources & Administration Manager

Commercial & Property Manager

Frequency Planning & Coverage Manager

Operations Manager

Western Regional Manager

Southern Regional Manager

Eastern Area Supervisor

Network Monitoring Supervisor

Midlands & SE Area Supervisor

Network Operations

RTÉ's 127 transmitter sites nation-wide range from high power broadcasting stations on mountain sites serving large areas of population to low power sites serving regional towns.

Page 47 of 48 The infrastructure used on these sites varies from 25m free standing towers or poles to 300m stayed masts. A microwave radio distribution network links the major sites. Most of the sites contain structures that are used for both broadcasting and for hosting third party telecommunications operators.

RTÉ Network also provides tower hosting services to a wide range of non-broadcasting customers, including three of Ireland’s licensed mobile telephone operators, most of the wireless telecommunications companies currently operating in Ireland, numerous VHF radio telephone operators and some State services. Currently in excess of 70% of RTÉ sites are used by these operators.

The RTÉ Authority, in late 2002, began the process of segregation and incorporation of its transmission network and related operations as a wholly owned subsidiary. From 2004, RTÉ Networks will:

• Maintain a schedule of tariffs for analogue and digital broadcast services, which will be reviewed annually and approved by the board of RTÉ Networks Ltd before 30 September each year • Calculate tariffs, based on industry standard practice that reflect the formal submissions by RTÉ to the regulator, ComReg, on the calculation of digital transmission tariffs. Analogue broadcast services and microwave link distribution are not currently price controlled by ComReg. • In the schedule of tariffs, provide the pricing point at the beginning of any new contract. • Publish an annual rate-card for the provision of other third party use of services and infrastructure. This rate-card, reflecting the current market rates in an increasingly competitive sector, will normally be published on 31 March each year.

Page 48 of 48

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