THE RTE Authority has drawn up a final shortlist of candidates for the post of director general who will be interviewed in about two weeks.
It is believed four candidates are now going forward to be interviewed again. They are the assistant director general, Mr Bob Collins, the director of television programmes, Mr Liam Miller, the director of news, Mr Joe Mulholland, and the group head programme services, Mr Eugene Murray.
None of the three outside candidates has been called back. Neither has the head of radio, Mr Kevin Healy, nor the head of the independent production unit, Ms Claire Duignan.
All shortlisted candidates have been through two interviews. The preliminary interview was held in October by the recruitment consultant, MSL. The second took place 10 days ago in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.
It is believed the authority hoped the successful candidate would emerge after the second round in order to be approved by the full authority and be named before Christmas.
However, the decision to hold a further interview might affect that timetable.
The successful candidate will probably be appointed in the new year, but will not take up the position until April, 1997, when the present director general, Mr Joe Barry, retires.