Kevin Bakhurst, MD of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, has today announced major changes to programming and personnel for 2013.

It will mean increases in output, new media improvements and a general expansion in the national broadcaster's current affairs coverage. Prime Time will be revamped with a larger studio and the addition of Claire Byrne and George Lee, The Frontline gets an earlier timeslot, and a morning TV news programme will air on RTÉ One from Spring 2013. Here are all the details:

–  A morning News television programme on RTÉ One from 9.00 – 11.00am, produced by RTÉ News Now, starting early in 2013
–  Claire Byrne joins the Prime Time team, as does George Lee
– The Frontline moves to a more prominent time slot of 9.30pm         
– The Week in Politics will transmit on Sundays at midday on RTÉ One, as well as on Sunday evenings
–   New roles of Science and Technology and GAA correspondents and position of Assignments Editor, Political News, to be created
–  Appointments of Editor, Prime Time, Head of Investigations Unit, Managing Editor, News (Television) and Western correspondent to be announced in next few weeks. 
–  New RTÉ News Now app; re-vamped RTÉ News website, revamped Morning Ireland studio
–  Smartphone and wireless use for live feeds into News bulletins

Bakhurst, previously a leading figure at the BBC until his new appointment in July, had this to say:
“These changes are a very clear signal of our commitment to strong current affairs programming and to investigative journalism.  And as we bring in the latest technology to deliver our content, we will position RTÉ News as one of the most modern, multi-platform broadcasters in Europe.”