Broadcaster and journalist Rodney Rice has retired after 40 years service at RTÉ.
His weekend radio programme, Saturday View, which ends this weekend, was developed by Mr Rice 25 years ago. The programme will return in September with a new presenter.
Mr Rice started his career in RTÉ working as a reporter on 7 Days. He moved to RTÉ Radio 1 in 1972 to present Here and Now. Since 1986, Mr Rice has presented Saturday View, RTÉ Radio 1's weekly round-up of the political world.
His final guest will be Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
RTÉ Director General Cathal Goan said: “I have worked with Rodney for many years and in many ways he has been a pioneer. Long before globalisation really took hold and international development became a popular cause, Rodney, through the Worlds Apart radio programme, brought to an Irish audience both the wonders and hardships of life in many of the world’s most forgotten places."
"Yet despite his extraordinary curiosity of life beyond these shores, each Saturday he managed to focus on the local issues at hand as host of Saturday View.He has had a long, varied and rich broadcasting career. RTÉ will miss him very much as will, I'm sure, his loyal and diverse audience. I wish him the very best in his retirement."
Clare Duignan, Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, says: “In his role as a leading broadcaster, Rodney has witnessed and reported on many of the key moments in Irish political history, from the early days of the troubles in the North to his insightful analysis of the working Government. Rodney enjoys a trusted place in the minds of the RTÉ radio listeners and I wish him all the best in his retirement.”