According to new tender documents, RTÉ expects to engage in property buying and selling in the coming years. It is seeking bids from firms with expertise in commercial property markets to maximize value and provide guidance on transaction processes.

An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed that the tender’s focus on property transactions aligns with RTÉ’s five-year strategy, “RTÉ: A New Direction,” published in June. The strategy highlights plans to reduce the physical footprint required for production and broadcast facilities at RTÉ’s Donnybrook headquarters.

The property consultancy tender spans the duration of this strategy, as well as the period immediately following it. Selected consultants will be expected to provide comprehensive advice on property acquisitions, development, management, occupation, and sales, both within Ireland and internationally.

RTÉ is specifically looking for firms that can support portfolio management activities, including site valuation, sourcing, development advice, planning permission, purchasing, sales, leasing, consultancy, and negotiation services.

The tender outlines that RTÉ owns six studio sites in Donnybrook, Cork, Sligo, Casla (County Galway), Derrybeg (County Donegal), and Ballydavid (County Kerry). It also leases additional studio spaces in Galway, Limerick, Athlone, Dundalk, Waterford, and Belfast.

The RTÉ spokesperson added, “This is a renewal and expansion of the existing contract, which is about to expire, and includes various services for the management of RTÉ’s owned and leased sites, as detailed in Section 9.”

In 2017, RTÉ received €107.5 million from the sale of land at its Donnybrook headquarters to Cairn Homes. Cairn has been working to develop the site since 2019 and recently indicated plans to submit new proposals to An Bord Pleanála in early 2025. The developer noted a “high risk of litigation” against any future permissions, given past legal challenges.

The deadline for tender submissions is December 12, with RTÉ expecting to award the contract in January.