THE troubled national radio station, Radio Ireland, is appointing a senior and experienced Scottish broadcaster to steer the station towards its launch date of March 17th.
Mr Andy Parks is to be appointed assistant controller of programmes at Radio Ireland. He is being appointed on a temporary basis.
Mr Parks is currently course director at the School of the Moving Image at the Royal College of Art in London. He was the first controller of programmes at Radio Clyde in Scotland in 1973 and has worked for both BBC radio and television. He was also the first editor of music for Channel 4.
He has worked in arts, documentaries and drama production for BBC Television and was also involved in the start up of the London music station, Radio Melody, in 1990.
He has written five screenplays and also plays for radio.
Mr Parks is to be appointed assistant controller of programmes due to the crisis at the station and the divisions between the chief executive and controller of programmes, Mr Dan Collins, and a number of promoters of the station, including the chairman, Mr John McColgan.
Both sides are talking to each other through solicitors, though it would now appear that Mr Collins is unlikely to stay at Radio Ireland. It is believed he is seeking to agree a severance deal.
Today the board of Radio Ireland is to meet for the first time since the crisis blew up.
The regulatory body, the Independent Radio and Television Commission, is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the crisis at the station.
Mr Collins is continuing to work as normal and despite the actions of lawyers and public relations consultants, is continuing to function as chief executive and programme controller.
Mr Parks was recommended to Radio Ireland by Mr Jimmy Gordon the chairman of Scottish Radio Holdings, which owns Radio Clyde. Scottish Radio Holdings has a 15 per cent stake in Radio Ireland. Radio Clyde was an unsuccessful applicant for the national radio licence that went to Radio Ireland.
Things have not been well in Radio Ireland since before Christmas when it was decided by some of the promoters that progress [towards the March 17th on air date was slow.
A number of the promoters, including Mr McColgan, Mr Dennis Desmond and Mr Robbie Wootton, came in to undertake specific tasks. According to sources in Radio Ireland, Mr McColgan has been working as executive chairman since then. However, Mr Collins, it is understood, has maintained that there has been interference, especially in the hiring of staff.
Last Monday he was given a week to consider his position in Radio Ireland and was offered another position within the station. Over the week, amid rumours, claims and counterclaims, Mr Collins's position became more difficult.
He sought legal advice and hired a public relations consultant. Radio Ireland has also sought legal advice.
Although the week was up yesterday, it is understood that no meeting with Mr Collins took place. It is now believed that any decision regarding Mr Collins will be postponed until after today's board meeting.
Radio Ireland's weekday schedule has already been announced and agreed with the IRTC. The weekend schedule is to be announced this week.