RTÉ, the Irish national broadcaster, has been dealt a double blow by two unconnected events - Director General Cathal Goan has announced he is stepping down, and the station has been put on a list of state companies to be considered for privatisation.
A special review group has been appointed to examine the companies listed and report back to government by the end of the year. What will alarm RTÉ is that the group is headed by economist Colm McCarthy, the man who recommended the arts council be emasculated and the arts ministry scrapped to reduce state spending.
