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Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae talks to the media outside Leinster House today Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Healy-Rae
Tánaiste says further probe may be needed into Healy-Rae controversy
Meanwhile RTÉ says it no longer has the relevant phone records, but Leinster House votes would not have made a difference to Healy-Rae’s win.
THE TÁNAISTE EAMON Gilmore has said that it may be necessary for the Houses of the Oireachtas to look deeper into the controversy surrounding Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
It’s been revealed that thousands of calls were made from Leinster House to a voting line for Healy-Rae to win the RTÉ reality show Celebrities Go Wild.
RTÉ reports that Gilmore thinks further investigation might be needed. There was a call in the Seanad today for an inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile RTÉ has issued a statement saying it no longer has the data or phone records available in order to establish where the calls originated, because the show was aired in 2007 and the records are no longer retained by RTÉ nor its service providers.
The broadcaster also states that if it experiences a “spike” in calls from any one number in a voting situation, then it is invesigated. It also said that Healy-Rae’s win would not have been influenced by the number of calls allegedly made from Leinster House.
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