broadcaster and journalist Vincent Browne has had negotiations with RTE television chiefs about presenting the station's flagship current affairs programme, Prime Time, in the future. Mr Browne is unable to take up the television offer at present, as he is still contracted to present his nightly radio programme, Vincent Browne Tonight.
Last night, RTE's director of television, Mr Joe Mulholland, confirmed that talks had taken place with Mr Browne about the possibility of him working for Prime Time. "I would like to see him anchor the programme sometime in the future," he said.
The Prime Time interest has stemmed from Mr Browne's successful anchoring of Questions and Answers during August. John Bowman resumes as presenter of that programme next week.
Mr Mulholland said that it would not be possible for Mr Browne to work full time with Prime Time at present because of his commitments to radio. "Current affairs has discussed the possibility of Vincent joining the team at some stage. We are looking at ways of Mr Browne combining his radio programme with doing some current affairs work for television. Unfortunately, the times of both programmes coincide, but we are looking at the possibility of Mr Browne doing some pre-recorded specials for us.
"We hope at some stage in the future Mr Browne will make the move to television. We have been trying to reinforce the overall current affairs team and one area we need to give attention to is that of presentation."
The Prime Time team is short one presenter after Eamon Lalor left to work with Lyric FM, the new classical music radio station based in Limerick. The remaining two presenters are Miriam O'Callaghan and Brian Farrell.
Mr Browne said last night that he had no comment to make.