The Irish Times view on RTÉ's job cuts: tough challenges ahead
The core principle of an arm’s length relationship between the public service broadcaster and the government of the day must be maintained
Patrick O’Donovan
Politician
Online safety commissioner ‘deeply concerned’ at rise of AI-generated child sex-abuse images
Coimisiún na Meán is engaging regularly with online platforms over such material
RTÉ’s €62m redundancy plan subject to annual targets
Government has approved €15m for this year to finance voluntary redundancy programme, which is now open
Approval of RTÉ redundancy offer still leaves station facing bigger challenges
RTÉ faces issues of ageing audience for its linear video and audio services, and mass defection to streaming and social-media platforms by younger viewers
Clash on hotel tax between Fine Gael Ministers and Dublin TDs and councillors
A number of politicians in the capital have gone public on their support for a hotel bed levy despite the strong opposition of two senior Fine Gael Ministers
City taxes for tourists ‘last thing we need to be doing’, says O’Donovan
Visitors will stay in Wicklow and Kildare and travel in if a Dublin tax is introduced, says Minister
Netflix levy: A boost for homegrown television or a blow to consumers?
We already have a TV licence fee, says Conor Pope, the Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent. But with a well-designed levy, the consumer wouldn’t pay, argues independent producer Larry Bass
‘Netflix levy’: Fine Gael MEPs urge Minister to meet organisation pushing for charge on TV streaming services
Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan indicates no intention to introduce additional charge
Writers’ Guild dismayed at Minister for Media’s lack of support for Netflix content levy
Representative body for writers warns Patrick O’Donovan that decision puts their economic livelihoods at risk
Streaming service levy would need ministerial sign-off under Cabinet-backed plan
Minister for Media says he does not support a levy on streaming services at the moment
The Irish Times view on the ‘Netflix’ levy: what is the Minister’s plan?
Since taking up his portfolio in January, Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan has acquired a reputation for glibness
Netflix levy plan set to be blocked as viewers are already ‘paying enough’
People using television-streaming services are ‘paying enough’, says Minister for Media
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy bears ‘no ill will’ after winning confidence motion
Taoiseach accused Opposition of ‘mob politics’, while Sinn Féin leader said Verona Murphy’s role was ‘delivered’ by Michael Lowry
No sheepishness as Katie Hannon decries bleating TDs
Radio: Liveline guest host adoitly covers Dáil speaking-time fiasco as political divisions are laid bare on Drivetime
The Irish Times view on wasteful spending: symptoms of a larger problem
None of these cases casts the individuals or organisations involved in a flattering light.
‘Perhaps someone from the Minister’s office might pick up the phone to the National Gallery?'
X-ray scanner at centre of controversy is piece of equipment that an ambitious art gallery should have
National broadband plan to require additional €80m
Minister told about gigabit ‘urban blackspots' and potentially uneconomic locations
Diversity, gender balance and money spent properly are priorities as Minister for Sport announces €31.3m in core funding grants
Sums range from €1.65m for Special Olympics Ireland to €37,000 for taekwondo
Department of Arts alerted to problems with idle €125,000 scanner in 2021
X-ray scanner affair shows ‘really, really poor project management’, according to Patrick O’Donovan
Arts Council review to include role of auditors and accountability of board
Prof Niamh Brennan will lead the review, while a parallel review will be conducted of the Department of Arts and Culture itself
High fees for consultants in failed Arts Council computer project
IT firms have extensive work with government departments
Arts Council spent more than €9m on consultants since 2019
Differences emerge between council and department over timing of warning about botched IT project
Who’s who in the controversy over Arts Council spending?
Extent of losses from failed IT project only disclosed last summer, statement from Catherine Martin suggests
‘Political climate change’ of Brexit will go on forever, Varadkar says
Tánaiste tells Fine Gael TDs and Senators that NMH paused helped to reassure people
Environment group rejects criticism over stance on Roscommon flooding
Council and OPW trying to circumvent environmental protection, group claims
Respiratory devices firm Vitalograph to create 200 more Irish jobs
UK firm is investing €10m to expand its operations in Limerick and Clare
Three Ministers unable to make Patrick’s Day trips due to Covid-19
Harris, McConalogue and Chambers test positive for virus along with Taoiseach
Bord defers decision on planning permission for €650m Shannon LNG plant
Decision pushed back to September due to complexity of project, An Bord Pleanála says
Knowth visitor centre offers rich megalithic experience
Brú na Bóinne Unesco heritage site features megalithic art and digital exhibition
Phoenix Park bus route delayed as gates found to be too narrow
Cabra gate on park’s north side ‘too narrow’ for planned service
Taoiseach: Government does not intend to expel Russian ambassador
Cutting diplomatic ties ‘always the last resort’ in conflict situations, says Martin
Calls for expulsion of Russian ambassador intensify despite retaliation fears
Charlie Flanagan accuses ambassador of lying to Oireachtas committee over Ukraine
New 30km/h speed limit and car restrictions for Phoenix Park from Monday
Park can no longer be ‘quasi-dumping ground for parking’, says OPW Minister
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