# RTÉ Sports Staff Unanimously Vote No Confidence in Senior Leadership The sports department condemns management over controversial podcast recruitment and alleged lack of transparency. - **Source:** [Irish Examiner](https://www.irishexaminer.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0147ebfd-8d81-4dc0-886a-1209f2ce988a ## Unanimous Vote of No Confidence Members of the National Union of Journalists within the RTÉ sports department have formally expressed no confidence in the broadcaster's senior leadership. Approximately 60 staff members attended a meeting on Wednesday to pass the motion. They argue that recent recruitment practices have brought embarrassment and ridicule to the storied public institution. ## The Ger Gilroy Controversy The tension stems from the appointment of podcaster Ger Gilroy to lead the new 'Howler' sports podcast. Staff questioned the speed of the recruitment process, noting it concluded rapidly after an expression-of-interest window closed. Gilroy stated he was approached by RTÉ’s head of podcasts, Hugh Ormond, regarding the potential role. ## Allegations of Murky Practices The sports department claims that despite promises of a new era, the organization continues to engage in opaque HR practices. Staff members described the appointment as a return to secret deals. They argue that the current executive team has failed to deliver the transparent decision-making culture promised to the public. ## Resource Allocation and Funding Employees expressed grave concern regarding financial priorities during a period of severe funding shortfalls. They criticized management for investing in a new podcast that currently lacks a sponsor. Furthermore, staff questioned if the project cannibalizes existing output, as RTÉ already produces three other sports podcasts within the same department. ## Internal Grievances and Inequality Beyond the specific appointment, staff highlighted longstanding issues including incorrect grading, limited career progression, and underinvestment in technology. The motion also criticized the new podcast for a lack of women’s voices. Members believe these factors demonstrate that commercial interests have effectively trumped the core values of public service broadcasting. ## Clash Over Committee Testimony The motion explicitly rejected statements made by Director General Kevin Bakhurst and Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch at a recent Oireachtas Committee hearing. Staff argued their motivations for criticizing the recruitment process were falsely framed by leadership. They urged the executives to reflect on comments they believe maligned the workforce. ## Management Response and Rebuttal RTÉ leadership acknowledged receiving the motion but characterized the email as anonymous and sensationalist. The broadcaster clarified that this was an internal branch motion rather than an official NUJ union motion. Chief People Officer Annette Malone is expected to respond, while leadership explicitly rejected the conclusions drawn by the staff. ## Path Toward Future Dialogue Director General Kevin Bakhurst is scheduled to meet with the sports department staff next week to address these grievances. Additionally, RTÉ representatives plan to attend a quarterly meeting with the Trade Union Group and a separate session with the NUJ. These discussions will determine if the internal cultural divide can be bridged. ## Sources covering this story - [Irish Examiner — RTÉ Sports Staff Pass No Confidence Vote Against Senior Leadership](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41936466.html) - [RTÉ News — RTÉ Sports Staff Declare No Confidence in Leadership](https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1111/1598882-rte-sports-staff-vote-no-confidence-in-leadership-team/) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._