RECENTLY resigned Fianna Fail frontbencher Mrs Maire Geoghegan Quinn is to present the popular RTE Radio 1 show, Liveline, next week.
The Galway West TD, who announced her resignation two weeks ago because of media intrusion into her family life, will host the programme from Monday to Friday next while the regular presenter, Marian Finucane, is on holiday.
RTE's head of radio, Mr Kevin Healy, confirmed that this would be so, pending final negotiations. "She has more or less agreed to it at this stage although there are a few loose ends to tie up," he said.
The former Minister was approached after she resigned by someone who works on Liveline, said Mr Healy. She is to finalise the agreement with RTE this week, he added.
He did not rule out the possibility of further radio work for her. "You'd never know. It depends on how she feels and how we feel about it ... we know she is anxious to expand into journalism," he said.
A recent RTE survey showed that Liveline is the country's most popular radio programme. The issue based format will remain the same while Mrs Geoghegan Quinn is presenter, said Mr Healy.
"She will be dealing with whatever is in the public domain next week."
Mr Healy said he was sure Mrs Geoghegan Quinn would be impartial and balanced.
"We wouldn't normally bring on a full time, active politician, but in this case she has made her position clear that she won't be seeking reelection. I don't have any worry about there being balance in the programme," he said.
Attempts by The Irish Times to contact Mrs Geoghegan Quinn yesterday were unsuccessful.