Following weeks of rumours RTÉ 2FM have finally announced changes to its weekday and weekend schedules. The new schedule is the first in a series of planned changes across 2010. Last year the station announced its decision to re-position itself to maintain its place as Ireland's second most-listened-to radio station, and as Ireland's number one music station. The first set of changes to the schedule will see an increase in speech and feature programming. Listeners can expect the changes to come to air alongside a refined music policy, and new station imaging, all set to kick in in the first weeks of 2010.

Weekends are the primary focus for the first stage of changes. Among the new faces on the station are Tommy Tiernan and Hector Ó hEochagáin, who join 2FM for a brand-new Saturday morning show live from Galway City.

On Sundays, Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh of The Duckworth Lewis Method (and Divine Comedy) will kick-off 'Celebrity Sunday', a new strand of programmes where well-known lovers of music share their own personal mix-tape.

Ruth Scott will head a new weekend breakfast show featuring talk, music and competitions to start the weekend.

On Saturdays at midday RTÉ Sport will air a new two-hour general sports show featuring pundits from across RTÉ Radio and Television.

Meanwhile, there's more 2FM talk on Saturday afternoons as Dave Fanning presents a new two-hour gallop through the world of 'Fanning', with studio-guests, interviewees and new music features.

Nikki Hayes follows at 4 every Saturday and Sunday.

During the week Rick O'Shea returns to midday in a new interactive lunchtime show: whether you Facebook, Tweet or text, Rick wants to hear from you.

At 3pm every day Larry Gogan brings the 'Just A Minute Quiz' back to five days a week with the return of 'Larry's Golden Hour'. Having built his audience by over 20,000 listeners year-on-year, Larry returns to weekdays more popular than ever.

Will Leahy will continue to bring his own brand of celebrity gossip, music and entertainment updates live from Limerick at the earlier time of 4pm.

There will also be changes to the evening schedule with four hours of new music with Dave Fanning and Dan Hegarty.

Friday and Saturday will be party nights on 2FM with Jenny Greene, Jenny Huston and Mr Spring.

Head of RTÉ 2FM John McMahon says: "When I joined 2FM back in October the task was clear: to keep 2FM on top as Ireland's second most-listened-to radio station. 2010 will see major changes to RTÉ 2FM as the station evolves to meet the needs of its listeners. We plan to bring them the best new music, more talk and features, more interaction and more about what gets people talking. Be it the world of entertainment, sport, gossip, the best of pop or great new indie music, 2FM will be doing more of it in a bigger way than ever before. This will be a gradual process but the changes announced today are an indicator of where we are going. It's going to be a busy year but I think it's fair to say that there is real excitement on the floor at 2FM, and our listeners should be excited too."