RTÉ’S DIRECTOR GENERAL Kevin Bakhurst said presenter Ray D’Arcy “actually had plenty of warning” that changes were coming to the radio schedule and his show could be axed.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime this evening, Bakhurst defended various historical payments and issues surrounding a pricey painting in the broadcaster’s Montrose campus.

A report into RTÉ’s financial matters was discussed at Cabinet today, Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan confirmed. 

Bakhurst was also asked about changes made to RTÉ’s radio schedule amidst a recent shakeup that saw Newstalk and Virgin Media presenter Kieran Cuddihy recruited to present Liveline, Claire Byrne prepare to leave RTÉ for Newstalk, and Ray D’Arcy have his contract lapse without renewal.

D’Arcy had hit out at RTÉ following his abrupt departure, saying he was “hugely disappointed” with how the situation was handled. D’Arcy had presented his afternoon radio show for 11 years.

Most recently, D’Arcy told The Irish Times he was “completely blindsided” by the decision not to renew his contract. He said he met with RTÉ’s director of audio, Patricia Monahan, on 29 September to discuss his contract. 

Monahan joined RTÉ last summer after leaving her role as Managing Editor at Newstalk.

He was told it would not be renewed and it was decided he would leave on 10 October, the presenter said, but a leak to the media on the morning of 9 October before the day’s show resulted in D’Arcy not finishing out the last two days.

Monahan has disputed this and said D’Arcy was given three months’ notice.

Today, Bakhurst said D’Arcy “did a fantastic job with RTÉ for a number of years” but the decision to cut the show was “based on numbers” and audience research.

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“I feel sorry personally for Ray. I think Patricia Monahan, head of audios, explained as much as she can about that. I think it’s always difficult when you make changes and individuals are involved,” Bakhurst said.

“In my view, and yes, I was involved with Patricia in this, I feel it was handled fairly.

“He actually had plenty of warning that there could be changes in coming along for a couple of years. So I was quite surprised when he said he had no inkling about it.

“But, you know, I understand it’s hard when it happens to anyone, particularly if you’re in the public eye,” he concluded.

Asked if he had spoken to D’Arcy since his departure, Bakhurst said, “No.”