Cathal Goan

Cathal Goan (born 1954) is a radio and television producer. He played a main role in the launch of TG4. He was appointed Director-General of RTÉ in 2003, announcing his departure in 2010.

Goan was born in Ardoyne, Belfast. He is an Irish language speaker. He studied Celtic studies in University College Dublin and joined RTÉ as an archivist in 1979 with RTÉ Radio. He became a producer and senior producer on RTÉ Radio. In 1988, he moved to RTÉ Television and worked on Today Tonight. Remaining in current affairs, he became editor of Cúrsaí, an Irish language television programme about arts and current affairs. He became Editor of Irish Language Programming in 1990.

Four years after being appointed Editor, he was approached to become 'Ceannasaí' of the new Teilifís na Gaeilge. From August 1994, he managed the commencement of the new television channel. After a successful launch of the channel, where award-winning programming was produced, he returned to RTÉ in 2000. He was appointed Director of Television and became a member of the RTÉ Executive Board.

Bob Collins retired as Director-General of RTÉ in 2003 to pursue a career elsewhere. It was announced in July 2003 that Goan would fill this position. He became the Director-General in October 2003. In 2008, Goan had a salary of €380,000, but it was reduced by €66,500. In 2006 he was announced as member of the board of National Concert Hall, and will serve there until May 2011.

After the broadcast of a news item on nude pictures of Brian Cowen, Michael Kennedy TD called for Goan to "consider his position" as Director-General. Goan also received criticism from Éamon Ó Cuív in February 2010 when Sunday Mass was reduced to being broadcast just once a month on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Goan announced in July 2010 that he intended to step down at the end of his seven-year term. His resignation was accepted by the RTÉ Board.

Goan is married to singer Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill. She met him when she was "16 or 17 [years of age]".