RTÉ has written to a Fianna Fáil senator, Mr Terry Leyden, calling on him to withdraw "intemperate remarks" about the station's Health Correspondent Aileen O'Meara and "smears" on her work.
The managing editor of the broadcaster's news division, Mr Cillian de Paor, said yesterday that Mr Leyden was seeking publicity for himself by making unfair and unsubstantiated comments after he renewed an attack he first made on October 22nd.
In the Seanad that day, Mr Leyden alleged that health policy was being "controlled" by O'Meara through her reports. "Every time there is someone on a trolley, we have Aileen O'Meara or someone else from RTÉ coming on the scene," he said.
The senator was told that he was not allowed to name individuals who were not in the chamber but he continued: "They may not be here but they are well represented here, and the party with whom they are involved is well represented in this House. If they want to defend it, so be it."
Mr de Paor said in a letter to Mr Leyden on December 2nd that the clear implication in these remarks was that O'Meara was "biased and unfair in her professional work". He said there was a further implication that such bias was of a political nature because her sister, Ms Kathleen O'Meara, is a Labour Party senator.
Senator O'Meara, who was a general election candidate in North Tipperary last year, has been prominent in her opposition to the Hanly health reform package, which is likely to result in the downgrading of Nenagh hospital. Neither she nor Aileen O'Meara would comment yesterday.
Mr de Paor noted in his letter that Mr Leyden had spoken under Oireachtas privilege in the Seanad and said that such allegations were very serious and would be actionable if made anywhere other than under privilege.
Mr Leyden circulated an e-mail in Leinster House at 10.36 a.m. yesterday drawing attention to the correspondence from Mr de Paor and to his desire to make a personal statement to the Seanad on the matter.
He spoke very soon afterwards, alleging in the chamber that RTÉ was attempting to censor, intimidate, blacklist and muzzle him.
"I wish to have an opportunity next Tuesday to make a personal statement to refute allegations by RTÉ and its biased reporting of health issues.
"The station is always biased on issues of health. I want to refute that and I will not be blacklisted," he said.
Mr de Paor declined to comment when asked about these remarks.
"Our letter to Senator Leyden is self-explanatory and he has not responded to our letter.
"He continues to make unfair and unsubstantiated comments, under privilege, seeking publicity. We don't intend to add to that."
