RTÉ is preparing a major property move that could reshape one of the best-known sites in media Ireland. The national broadcaster has confirmed it is seeking to sell a significant portion of its Montrose campus in Donnybrook as part of a broader drive to cut costs, streamline operations and strengthen its long-term financial position.
Appearing before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said the broadcaster has already held preliminary discussions with the Land Development Agency about the future of the land. The comments place the proposed sale firmly on the agenda in the latest media news Ireland watchers will be tracking closely.
RTÉ signals major campus rethink in media Ireland
Bakhurst told the committee that RTÉ wants to downsize and reduce overheads, with work on a plan for the campus underway for roughly 18 months. According to his remarks, formal proposals are expected to go before the RTÉ board in the coming weeks.
The potential disposal of part of the Montrose site marks a notable moment for the Irish media industry, not only because of the scale of the land involved but also because it reflects the pressure public service broadcasters face in balancing legacy infrastructure with modern operating realities.
Key points from the PAC hearing
- RTÉ is seeking to sell a significant portion of its Montrose campus.
- Preliminary discussions have taken place with the Land Development Agency.
- The broadcaster says the move is tied to downsizing and lowering overheads.
- Board proposals are expected within weeks.
- Between 40 and 60 staff are due to leave this year under voluntary redundancy.
Financial pressure, staffing changes and future funding
Bakhurst said RTÉ has improved its finances, pointing to tighter cost controls and a commercial strategy that has lifted digital revenue. That is an important signal for anyone following digital media Ireland and the evolving economics of public service broadcasting.
In his opening statement, he said RTÉ had reversed a pattern of deficits and improved financial stability. He also stressed that multiannual public funding has been crucial, arguing that similar certainty will be needed again when the current arrangement comes up for review in 2027.
His warning was direct: RTÉ will continue to require public funding unless its remit is significantly reduced. That comment is likely to fuel wider debate across media industry Ireland about the future scale, role and funding model of national public service media.
Staff reductions remain part of the plan
The committee also heard that 40 to 60 staff are expected to leave this year through a voluntary redundancy programme. Bakhurst said RTÉ’s wider target to reduce headcount by 400 over several years would be achieved through a mix of voluntary exits and the non-replacement of certain roles after retirements or resignations.
For those monitoring media updates Ireland, the staffing element is as significant as the property strategy. It underlines that RTÉ’s restructuring is not a one-off decision but part of a longer-term operational reset.
Why the Montrose decision matters
Beyond the immediate financial impact, the proposed Montrose sale speaks to broader media trends Ireland is seeing across broadcasting and publishing: leaner structures, sharper commercial focus and stronger scrutiny of fixed assets.
Bakhurst also pushed back on criticism of some spending decisions, defending the use of professional drivers for high-profile guests and insisting RTÉ must maintain appropriate standards. In one of the session’s sharpest lines, he said: “We are not a tinpot broadcaster.”
That remark captures the balancing act facing RTÉ: cut costs, modernise operations and protect the perception of a national institution at the same time.
Image Courtesy: The Irish Times
Conclusion
The proposed Montrose land sale is one of the most consequential developments in media Ireland this year. If approved, it would signal a decisive step in RTÉ’s effort to reduce costs, reshape its footprint and secure a more sustainable future. For anyone following the latest shifts in Irish broadcasting, this is a story that could define the next chapter of public service media.
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: The Irish Times
