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GEORGE LEE is to become part of flagship RTÉ current affairs programme Prime Time in a shake-up of the station’s news programmes announced this afternoon.
Claire Byrne is to officially become a co-presenter of the show having presented a number of episodes in recent months. Lee will be working on economic and business segments of Prime Time.
The station said it is to bring back “major investigative output” from next year with the appointment of a new editor of Prime Time and a new Head of Investigative Unit. The Prime Time Investigates series was permanently shelved last year in the wake of the investigation into the Mission to Prey programme.
Among the changes to its news and current affairs shows announced by the station today are a new morning news programme on RTÉ One which will be broadcast between 9am and 11am starting early next year.
The Frontline, presented by Pat Kenny, is to move to a permanent time-slot of 9.30pm on Monday evenings. It will also be moving closer to Prime Time: the two programmes will be sharing a new studio from early next year.
The Week in Politics, the agenda-setting programme hosted by Seán O’Rourke, will be broadcast on Sunday afternoons at noon in addition to its current late night slot on Sunday evenings.
Some of RTÉ’s digital output is to be revamped, including the popular RTÉ News Now app and the existing RTÉ News website. RTÉ will also focus more on using technology for its news, including linking up with a wireless network in Dublin to allow its journalists to report live from anywhere in the capital city.
The Morning Ireland radio studio and the News on Two television programme will also be changed and updated.
RTE appointed Kevin Bakhurst, a former deputy head of the BBC Newsroom, as its managing director of news and current affairs in July. Speaking at the announcement of the changes today, he said the changes were “a very clear signal of our commitment to strong current affairs programming and to investigative journalism”.
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They’ve obviously decided enough time has passed. Meh, not sure I can ever take him seriously again.
It sickens me that he walks back into a position that other upcoming reporters should be getting the opportunity to have a go at. Gods sake.
I’m sure he is being way over paid too.
More chances need to be given to younger journalists. Tv3 are good at that system.ok it’s cheaper salary I guess, but it’s opportunity.
Shake it up George.
Just like you shook up the Dail.
Admit it George.
The only thing you want to do is,
shake us down for our last few quid.
The profit of doom and gloom is back, and just in time for Halloween.
When your so called business program was something like bad coverage of a car boot sale/sale of work.
”Ohh Mildred your Rhubarb Jam Is so Scrumptious”
or
”Did you bake these scones yourself Agnes”?
At the same time the country is being fed to a pack of Cannibal Bankers.
I just cant wait for your ”Primetime Shake Up” George.
”Epic Journalism” behind enemy lines.
”Truly Historical”
”A real Hero”
There I was thinking George Lee would become a permanent member of the Republic of Telly’s News and let Bernard take over Prime Time.
@Chris Lynch,
Love Republic of Telly, but jis wepted! What was George Lee thinking of? Does anyone ever get sick looking at the same o same o faces. Do RTE not believe in letting ‘outsiders’ apply for these jobs? Good to see Claire Byrne (no relation) on Prime Time. Easy to listen to on RTE1 radio.
His appearance on Republic of Telly was cringeful!
George Lee. Man of principle. This shows how principle is rewarded in Irish life. The principle being: try this, try that, chance your arm here, chance your arm there. Then return to RTE to continue your programme for self promotion
(I wish I had an RTE to return to when the going gets rough.
Great news about Claire Byrne, she is an excellent broadcaster.
The cosy RTE cartel…..
And you cant spell cartel without rte, lol.
No doubt they’ll find slots for Gay Byrne ,Mike Murphy and Mary O’Rourke. Typical.
We’re paying good money to allow RTE re-arrange the seats on the Titanic.
You forgot the annoyingly omnipresent Miriam O’Callaghan!
Another dinosaur is back!
What will he tell his grand children ?
Is it only me or is Frontline the irish version of Jerry Springer e.g. no sex, no violence but hosted by a plank
One good reason not to watch Primetime. A boring negative reporter.
all the one who they put in there, RTE wil never bite the hand that feeds it , i cant take anymore looking a Miriam playing verbal foosties with politcians and the likes of the quinns
nice to see another new face on R.T.E.
George Lee hedged his bets he only took a years leave from RTE. IMO his reputation is in tatters.
Sean
Apparently his political foray was the second time he left RTE. The first time he just lasted a weekend and on the second occasion he quickly missed the protective shelter of Donnybrook.
Isn’t it tiresome when you see the way below average reporters like our friend and Charlie Bird can get away with mediocre careers at high pay and whinge they’re way round the Organisation as it suits them.
Reminds me of an old pow camp joke where the Herr Kommandant announces to the POWs the good news that there will be a long needed change of underwear.
The changes will be as follows : The British will change with the French and the Russians will change with the Americans.
I remember George interviewing a group of us for 6 one news back in 1997. It was in a job centre, he locked himself in the loo by accident and couldn’t get out!
It really annoys me that young talented graduates are leaving in their drives and RTE could get three of them for what this loser is being paid.
I left for Germany for 6months as part of a course mcnamee, stayed for a year loved it.
Ah yes redeployment in the public sector, don’t remember seeing this on the http://www.publicjobs.ie
Great to see Claire Byrne moving to co-presenting Prime Time, but not so sure about George Lee. I would imagine that it could seriously damage the credibility of Prime Time in the mindset of many people – so much for having fair and impartial journalism!
No doubt they will have loads to discuss in the coming year, can’t wait!
I bet his kids get a job there too as will Miriam o galloping kids in time. Gerry Ryan’s kid is set up for life and wait for it Gaybo — WON’T — stand aside to give his daughter a chance of a job.
Deck chairs on the Titanic. RTE couldn’t shake up a frikkin martini. A bunch of tired old ex school teachers on inflated salaries for doing mediocre at best work.
In case you needed more reasons to hate him, George Lee’s was the campaign that got me involved in Fine Gael :D
Damn you George lee.
Tosser!
Mind you, he got it spot on before the crash! Predicted it would happen even though everyone complained about his negative attitude. I believe RTE has a ban on recruitment at the mo. So all they can do is rotate the staff they have.
If George finds the going too tough can he go back to his old job?
Back in the fold, like a shleeveen politician who loses the whip but creeps back unnoticed..So much for impartiality in our national broadcaster…
Ah here! Seriouslee
I would rather watch a King penguin juggling mackerel, than listen to Gorgeous George Lee. He has the personality of an earwig!
Welcome back George and good to see Claire getting this gig. George is a good investigator I am glad to have him back.
It’s a pity that Bertie Ahern and FF did not listen too George Lee’s advice. If they had Ireland would not be in the mess it is today.
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