Objectivity 'critical' over tweet - Kenny

THE TAOISEACH has told the Dáil he hopes the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will act “expeditiously” if its compliance committee feels further investigation is required into the RTÉ “tweet” controversy.

Enda Kenny said of the national public broadcaster that objectivity, impartiality and trustworthiness were of “critical importance”. It was vital “in regard to public life in Ireland, life in general in Ireland and in regard to our democratic institutions”.

He was responding during Leaders’ Questions to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who asked if he was satisfied the actions being taken to deal with what Mr Kenny called the “now infamous tweet” broadcast on the RTÉ Frontline programme presidential debate was sufficient.

Mr Martin said the authority, while finding fault with the “utilisation and provenance of the tweet, did not follow on with a further investigation or see the need for it”.

The Fianna Fáil leader said: “So there is an element of unfinished business about this or a sense of left hanging out there.” He asked if Mr Kenny was satisfied that what was being done was sufficient “to restore public confidence in our public service broadcaster”.

The Taoiseach replied: “I hope it will. I hope it can be. I share the view that the national broadcaster be absolutely impartial, absolutely fair, absolutely objective in the carrying out of its statutory functions.”

He said Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte had updated the Cabinet on the controversy and informed them of the receipt of a letter from former presidential candidate Seán Gallagher.

Mr Kenny added: “In the case of a comment made by a member of the audience in that debate, there appears to be an allegation that RTÉ in some way attempted to gun down Mr Gallagher.”

He said Mr Rabbitte wrote back to Mr Gallagher and said that “if new evidence emerged impinging on findings made in relation to the complaint that the broadcasting authority . . . would ensure an expeditious dealing” with the issue.