Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Pat Rabbitte: Heads should not roll at RTÉ... yet

The communications minister said an inquiry into the Fr Kevin Reynolds broadcast would establish the full facts of the case.

A STATUTORY INQUIRY into the RTÉ Prime Time programme about Fr Kevin Reynolds must establish why the show was originally broadcast, according to the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte.

However, Rabbitte said no staff should lose their jobs until the Broadcasting Authority probe had completed its work. He said the inquiry – the first of its kind to be ordered under Section 53 of the Broadcasting Act – would protect the rights of Fr Reynolds as an Irish citizen.

“They [the BAI] need to determine how and why such a programme was published,” the Minister said.

It’s important that the stature of RTÉ is protected, and that the rights of Kevin Reynolds are vindicated. He is a citizen of this country and the fact that he happens to be a Catholic priest does not give RTÉ or anyone else a right to traduce his reputation.

Fr Kevin Reynolds was libelled in a Prime Time Investigates programme in May 2011. RTÉ announced last night that Prime Time Investigates would be suspended until all of its sources had been fully examined.

Rabbitte also suggested that RTÉ may not have appreciated the seriousness of the situation until after the libellous programme was broadcast.

“I suspect that RTÉ had got it in the aftermath of what transpired,” Rabbitte told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. “The questions surround why was the programme was published in the first instance, given what we have learned so far. But my impression is that the management understand the gravity of it since.”

Read more: Government announces inquiry into RTE programme on Kevin Reynolds>

Read more: RTÉ suspends next season of Prime Time Investigates after Fr Reynolds case>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Magari
    Favourite Adam Magari
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 10:13 AM

    The usual political response – equivocate. Must be seen to be doing something but nothing too much. When it comes to state bodies and the public service an ‘outcomeless’ response is the one preferred by the establishment. Think PPARS hand washing. Only 200 million down the drain. But woe betide a private sector entity that transgresses.

    23
    Neil
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil
    Favourite Neil
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:23 AM

    There are two Irelands. One where if you have a job at all then you don’t know whether you’ll still have it next month, and another where you can funnel public money into paying for luxurious trips around the world for you and your mates, and the worst “punishment” you will get is a generous early retirement package.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Daly
    Favourite Brian Daly
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 10:35 AM

    I thought Rabbitte was on the money with his remarks with the exception of this one. Surely an external investigation shouldn’t stop RTE taking their own disciplinary action? Though, I’d imagine if somebody was fired or resigned from RTE before or during the external review they would probably wouldn’t be disposed or obliged to cooperate with the enquiry.

    One of the questions RTE can or should reveal immediately if the settlement is being paid for by insurance or effectively by the licence payer.

    It will be interesting if Reynolds pushes for identification of the person who started this story and he should do.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hanly Sheelagh
    Favourite Hanly Sheelagh
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 10:52 AM

    Has the journal started censoring comments?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Réada Quinn
    Favourite Réada Quinn
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:10 AM

    That would be a “no” Sheelagh Not started, continuing. I wish they would only do it for really vile comments.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rommel Burke
    Favourite Rommel Burke
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:26 AM

    Agreed with most of your earlier comment Sheelagh, can’t understand why it was taken down tbh.

    4
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yeera Yeahboy
    Favourite Yeera Yeahboy
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:43 AM

    The Journal owns and runs the site, we don’t pay to comment, so they can edit what they like as far as I am concerned.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Murphy
    Favourite John Murphy
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 12:04 PM

    Read the comments policy folks!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lou Brennan
    Favourite Lou Brennan
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 12:42 PM

    Never mind RTE.Heads should roll in the government. Big fat lying incompetent ones. Which is practically all of the useless articles that so many had hopes and belief in last February.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lanigan
    Favourite Paul Lanigan
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:58 AM

    I feel another protracted whitewash coming on……

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Daly
    Favourite Brian Daly
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:59 AM

    Report has to be completes within 2 months. It’s good that it has been time defined.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Murphy
    Favourite John Murphy
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 12:14 PM

    Heads should have rolled down the steps of the Four Courts. What was wrong with the courts findings?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Daly
    Favourite Brian Daly
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 12:35 PM

    There were none! The case was settled so there was no case and therefore no ‘findings’. The various apologies on-air and in print were the result of the negotiated settlement which was between the two parties.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Murphy
    Favourite John Murphy
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 12:47 PM

    Thanks Brian!

    The old adage of the law ‘Justice being seen to be done’ gets another kick in the goolies while the erstwhile bewigged council do a bit of horsetrading on the lawn and the court approves the settlement.

    Does that work when your up for your TV licence as well?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sibhs
    Favourite Sibhs
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 1:22 PM

    The only way heads are going to roll in this country, is if we start chopping a few of them off.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:35 AM

    The only question rabbid should ask is who’s responsible and where are the letters of resignation.
    Spend more public money on an enquiry? No this has cost enough already in legal fees and a settlement there’s no need for any more tax payer money to be wasted on this.
    The really kick in the bollo is the Irish tax payer paying a settlement to a priest. ( I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it but that this could happen is my problem)

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Daly
    Favourite Brian Daly
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 11:58 AM

    This has nothing to do with the tax payer. It has everything to do with the licence payer. Plus it doesn’t matter if the subject of the programme was a priest or a person of any other walk of life. The same standards apply no matter what the alleged crime is.

    So far as I understand the enquiry comes out of the BAI budget. However, the necessity to do this and the court case settlement means that the BAI budget and the licence payers money (if the settlement is not covered by insurance) is being unnecessarily spent.

    The BAI is funded by a levy on broadcasters – not sure what if any of their operating budget comes from the tax payer.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 23rd 2011, 3:39 PM

    Yes hanly they have. You must agree with the original articial or your comment might be removed. It’s called free speech or lack of in this case

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds