A chara, – Sarah Martin of RTÉ Radio (May 4th) wrote that RTÉ occasionally enters into commercial contracts with publishers. She emphasises that this does not impinge in any way on the editorial independence of RTÉ programmes; promotion occurs outside of the editorial processes of programme-making. She hopes “this clarifies matters”.
The Royal Irish Academy response to my request under the Freedom of Information Act records that an e-mail sent by Sarah Martin to Pauric Dempsey of the RIA states, "We will approach RTÉ News to cover the launch . . . We will approach Morning Irelandto do a post-launch item on de Valera . . . The Tubridy Showhas agreed to do a reassessment of de Valera item . . . We will approach the Late Late Showto do a piece on de Valera in advance of the radio series, with Diarmaid Ferriter as a key panelist . . . we will ensure that the Judging Devbook is mentioned as part of all publicity".
The response goes on to show Pauric Dempsey of the RIA replied, "I thought we agreed that the Tubridy Showlistener was not our core audience and that we would aim for Pat Kenny in the event of not getting the Late Late Show? Malachy in fact said that he could guarantee the Pat Kenny show for us. Only today Diarmaid and I agreed that the Pat Kenny radio show for the 12th October and This Weekfor the 14th October would be best for the profile of Judging Dev. Can both of these be explored instead of Tubridy? . . . Seoige & O'Sheaare interested in doing a piece on 15th but Diarmaid is not keen." – Yours, etc,