RTE Director General Noel Curran to stand down

RTÉ Director General Noel Curran has announced he plans to step down from the post in May.
While his contract runs until 2018, Curran will leave his position at the head of the national broadcaster after a five year period, in which he has overseen substantial change in the halls of Montrose and beyond.
"After five years as Director General and 12 years on the RTÉ Executive Board, I feel the time is right to move on and take on new professional challenges," he said. "Through the considerable efforts of staff, management and independent producers the organisation is on a more stable footing.
"Most importantly, through all their combined talents, RTÉ continues to produce strong programming, continues to innovate, and has made the transition to a modern digital media organisation."
Minister for Communications, Alex White was among those singing the praises of the outgoing DG: "Noel has provided strong leadership and direction to RTÉ throughout a period of major change in Irish broadcasting, against a backdrop of significant financial pressures on the station in a fast-moving and highly competitive market.
"Noel is a man of outstanding character, and a highly accomplished television producer, who has been a huge asset to the organisation. I want to thank him warmly for the excellent service he has given to RTÉ, and to the people of Ireland over the last 20 years, and I wish him well in his future endeavours."
The RTÉ board will begin the process of identifying a replacement shortly.