Commentators must be ready for ‘robust’ debate, says Rabbitte

Any commentators or contributors to public debate must be prepared for "robust, heated, personal and sometimes even hostile argument", Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has said.

Mr Rabbitte made his comments today amid continuing controversy over reported payments by RTÉ to the Iona Institute.

Fianna Fáil Senator Averil Power raised the reported payments of compensation in the Seanad this week.

Complaints were made to the broadcaster following an interview with performer Rory O’Neill, also known as drag queen Panti Bliss, on the Saturday Night Show.

Ms Power, a representative for Dublin Bay North, called on Mr Rabbitte to reveal how much was paid and whether other remedies, such as a right of reply, were offered to the organisation.

In a statement, Mr Rabbitte said he had no intention of interfering in “RTÉ’s management of the litigation claims against it”.

He said it would be a “matter of serious concern if recourse to our defamation laws was to have a chilling effect on the conduct of public debate” on the issue of same sex marriage.

A referendum on gay marriage is due next year, and Mr Rabbitte said: “Speaking personally, I have never used the term ‘homophobe’ to describe those who disagree with me on issues of gay equality in general or gay marriage in particular.

“It is too loaded a term to be used to categorise those who hold contrary views on what is a matter for legitimate public debate.”

He warned commentators they must be prepared, as politicians are, for robust debate.

“If you enter the arena, you cannot expect that the Queensbury rules will always apply. I do expect that RTÉ remains fully committed to its chief obligation as a public service broadcaster - to ensure the full and free exchange of information and opinion on all matters of legitimate public interest.”