Cowen rules out introduction of guidelines to cover contacts with RTÉ

THE TAOISEACH has ruled out introducing guidelines governing contact between Government press advisers and RTÉ.

Brian Cowen said he had read reports last month of Fine Gael’s communications personnel making direct contact with RTÉ’s director general regarding complaints.

“Therefore, it is inaccurate to refer only to disagreement between Government and the media,” he added. “There should not be a different set of rules for certain press advisers who complain to RTÉ but not others.”

Mr Cowen said there would always be issues in the relationship between the media and the Government and the media and Opposition parties.

“The matter cannot be dealt with through a vague set of written guidelines. I am not in favour of any restrictions and a two- way relationship remains appropriate,” he added.

The Taoiseach had been pressed by Labour leader Eamon Gilmore to say how the Government press secretary and its press office dealt with complaints, especially to RTÉ.

He added that a complaint in March related to “the drawings hung in the National Gallery of Ireland, which I believe was a rather juvenile exercise”.

Mr Gilmore added that his concern was not related to that issue as such, but they had heard reports concerning the way in which the complaint was made directly to the director general.

Mr Cowen said that the Government press secretary had contacted RTÉ regarding a broadcast last month. He added that RTÉ said it had already decided that the broadcast was inappropriate before any complaints were made and that this was an important point.

Mr Cowen said the director general may have been contacted because the news editor was not available, but that he did not know. “I was not involved and I did not give any instruction.

“Perhaps the fact that they know each other was a means by which he could communicate the seriousness of his concern as quickly as possible to a relevant member of RTÉ who was available.”