Deputy Mayor blasts response from RTE over social distancing controversy

The Deputy Mayor of South County Dublin has blasted the response from RTÉ over the social distancing controversy.

Fine Gael Councillor David McManus has questioned whether anyone at the national broadcaster will face any “consequences” for breaching Covid-19 regulatons.

’We have now had three statements released by RTÉ and each time, the term ‘accountability’ is missing,” Deputy McManus said.

“Neither the RTÉ Chair nor the Director of Human Resources can say if anyone will face any consequences at all.

“This fiasco has been mismanaged from day one when these RTÉ presenters continued to appear on radio and television, in some cases to question public officials and Government Ministers – this signals that they will face no consequences.

“No one from RTÉ needs to lose their job but there should be proportionate consequences.

“The state broadcaster receives €189 million in public funding.

“The public deserves better than this.”

Councillor McManus also questioned why politicians who breached Covid-19 guidelines were treated differently.

“In politics, Phil Hogan was chased by these RTÉ presenters to ensure accountability,” he said.

“Phil Hogan resigned but will RTÉ be held to account?

“If not, it’s double standards.

“Ordinary people cannot visit other households, they cannot attend mass – meanwhile RTÉ staff threw a party and posed for photos.

“It looks like the state broadcaster lives in another universe.

“There are great staff in RTÉ and unfortunately, they have been let down by some presenters and the inadequate response to this fiasco by RTÉ management.

“Ultimately, politicians are accountable to the people every five years at the ballot box.

“Who is RTÉ accountable to for the €189 million in state funding that they receive?”

ENDS