Top Issue 1-2024

6 February 2014

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‘Pantigate’: RTÉ should publish legal advice

‘RTÉ receives significant public funding and as a result it is a matter of public interest that the legal advice it received is published in full’


RTÉ should publish the legal advice that led to it paying €85,000 to John Waters, Breda O’Brien and members of the conservative religious and social lobby ‘Iona Institute’ after comments on the Saturday Night Show last month, a Sinn Féin TD has said.

Brendan O'Connor

Several individuals had threatened to sue RTÉ over remarks made by drag artist ‘Miss Panti’, Rory O’Neill, on the Saturday Night Show on 11 January in an interview about marriage equality and homophobia in society. Host Brendan O’Connor (pictured) had pressed Rory O’Neill to name individuals.

RTÉ Head of Television Glen Killane said on Wednesday that contesting the claims could have led to several costly court battles and the settlements were a pragmatic move based on legal advice by “very senior counsel”.

Cork North Central Deputy Jonathan O’Brien said in response:

“RTÉ receives significant public funding and as a result it is a matter of public interest that the legal advice it received is published in full.”

He said the pay-out from RTÉ “has huge implications” for the way in which debate is conducted on social issues on the airwaves “with small, unrepresentative groups having the potential to set the parameters of what is acceptable debate”.

Jonathan O’Brien added:

“This case is unusual in that it has received far more attention than any other defamation claim levelled at RTÉ and, as such, the public have a right to see the advice that RTÉ acted on.

“I am now calling for Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to ensure that RTÉ publish the legal advice they received.”

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