MINISTER FOR Communications Eamon Ryan has thanked Cathal Goan for his years of service at RTÉ after it was announced yesterday that he is to step down as director general.
Mr Goan (56) had completed his full seven-year term, and has not sought to have his term extended. Mr Goan would not comment yesterday.
In a statement, the board of RTÉ said it would shortly begin the process of replacing Mr Goan. He is to stay on until the process of selecting a successor is completed.
Chairman of RTÉ Tom Savage said the board had accepted Mr Goan’s decision not to seek an extension to his term with regret.
“Throughout his seven years Cathal retained the sensibilities of a programme maker. Despite the obvious managerial responsibilities of the role, he always understood that programmes and the audience are what RTÉ is here for.”
Mr Savage said Mr Goan had been director general during a period of enormous change. He led the reorganisation of the State broadcaster during a very difficult financial restructuring soon after taking office; had been central to making RTÉ a true multimedia leader by investing in digital and online technologies, and his experience, care and leadership had been invaluable during the past 18 months as RTÉ adjusted to a new and difficult economic environment.
“Cathal remains passionate about and has a unique understanding of the special role that RTÉ has in Irish cultural life.”
He said Mr Goan had left an indelible mark not just on RTÉ but, as the only person to have run both of Ireland’s public service broadcasters, on Irish public service broadcasting as a whole.
An advertisement for the position of director general is to be published within weeks.
Mr Goan is a native of Belfast and a graduate of University College Dublin. He joined RTÉ in 1979, working initially in radio as a producer and moving to TV in 1988. In 1990, he was appointed editor of Irish language programming, and in 1994 ceannasaí of Teilifís na Gaeilge, overseeing its establishment.
He was appointed director of RTÉ television, and to the executive board in 2000. He was appointed director general in 2003.
Mr Ryan thanked Mr Goan for his service as director general of RTÉ, and congratulated Mr Goan on what he called “an unparalleled career in public service broadcasting”.
“As a man of real creativity, who loves the Irish language, Cathal has made a major contribution to both RTÉ and TG4,” Mr Ryan said.
“I wish Cathal the very best for his future endeavours. He is a true gentleman and a scholar.”
In March, managing director of RTÉ television Noel Curran resigned from the position to return to the private sector.
Mr Curran’s announcement came as a surprise as he had been tipped as a potential successor to Mr Goan.
Mr Curran left to pursue other interests, the broadcaster said at the time.