A complaint by the US authorities about the conduct of the RTÉ Prime Time interview with President Bush was an informal one and no further action was sought or was being taken, according to a Government spokesman. Marie O'Halloran reports.
The complaint was made to the Irish embassy in the US and directly to RTÉ's Washington correspondent, Ms Carole Coleman, over her manner of questioning in the 10-minutes interview of the eve of Mr Bush's visit to Ireland.
The spokesman said the US authorities "made a complaint. It wasn't a formal complaint, not in writing, but they made their views known."
No further action was sought and none was being taken, the spokesman added.
However people in Irish Government circles believed that the interview "showed a lack of respect for the office of the President of the United States", according to Government sources.
During the 10-minute interview Mr Bush criticised Ms Coleman over her manner of questioning.
On several occasions Mr Bush told her to stop interrupting him.
"You ask the questions and I'll answer them, if you don't mind," he said.
RTÉ was however very happy with the interview. Mr Cillian de Paor, managing editor of TV news, said: "We're satisfied that she did her job and conducted the interview in a professional and courteous manner".
RTÉ in Dublin received no complaint from the White House, the Irish embassy or the Irish authorities.
Ms Coleman was unavailable for comment but it is understood she was told by the White House that she would "possibly" get an interview with the First Lady, Mrs Laura Bush, depending on how the interview went with President Bush.
That interview did not go ahead.
The White House complained about the interview to the Irish embassy because it had been instrumental in setting it up, Government sources suggested.
Ms Coleman had been seeking an interview for several weeks beforehand, and the programme was confident that there would be an interview, but it was unclear whether it would be with President Bush or someone else from the administration.
The 10-minute interview with Mr Bush was confirmed on Tuesday and set for 4.05 p.m. US time which was 9.05 p.m Irish time.
Prime Time went on air at 9.30 p.m.