The director-general of RTÉ, Noel Curran, has announced he is to resign from the role.

He will finish his term in May 2016, having been appointed back in 2011.

In a statement, Mr Curran says: "After five years as director-general and 12 years on the RTÉ Executive Board, I feel the time is right to move on and take on new professional challenges".

"Through the considerable efforts of staff, management and independent producers the organisation is on a more stable footing".

"It has been my privilege to lead RTÉ through a time of considerable challenge, change, upheaval and innovation - both internally and in the wider market", he adds.

Moya Doherty, chair of the RTÉ Board, adds: "The board collectively, and I as chair, owe him a great debt, and his experience and insight will be truly missed".

The process to replace Mr Curran will be filled by a public competition overseen by the RTÉ Board.

Mr Curran joined RTÉ in 1992 as a business reporter, and was executive producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 1997.

He completed two terms as editor of current affairs in news.

He was also editor of the Mary Raftery documentaries 'Cardinal Secrets' and 'Broken Trust', joining RTÉ's executive as managing director of television in 2003.