RTÉ has announced that Claire Byrne Live will conclude after seven years broadcasting this Monday evening.
The popular current affairs programme, which is hosted by Bray resident Claire Byrne, first began broadcasting in 2015.
In a statement, RTÉ said Claire has decided to step down from the programme to focus on her radio gig, Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1.
“For seven years, Claire has hosted Ireland’s biggest conversation, giving the audience a voice on the key issues of the day,” said Jon Williams, Managing Director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs.
“From her extraordinary interview with the family of Clodagh Hawe, to the drama of the Leaders’ Debates in two General Elections and breaking news throughout the pandemic, Claire Byrne Live has shown that current affairs can be both popular and engaging. I want to thank Claire for a truly remarkable run.”
Presenter Claire Byrne said: “When we started Claire Byrne Live in 2015, we wanted it to be a forum for people in Ireland to shape the news, respond to unfolding events and most importantly, to have their say. We came through two general elections, two hugely significant referendums and one global pandemic in the time that we have been on air.
“I have been hugely proud to be part of this show for those years and I have been humbled to work alongside three talented editors of Claire Byrne Live – Aoife Stokes, Jane Murphy and Hugh Ormond, not to mention the small, hard-working team that made sure we got to air every week, despite the massive challenges posed by the pandemic in the last two years.
“I have made the decision now to focus on my radio show and I am very much looking forward, in time, to working on other television projects for RTÉ. I want to thank everyone who made Claire Byrne Live such an enjoyable show to be part of and in particular, the audience at home, who allowed me to spend Monday nights in their company over the last seven and a half years.”
The national broadcaster said it is now considering ideas to replace the Monday night current affairs programme later in the year.
