The decision by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland last week was the culmination of a statutory process invoked by Mr Sean Gallagher through a formal Broadcast Complaint.
The BAI found RTÉ to have been unfair to Mr Gallagher on specific grounds. RTÉ has fully accepted this and the RTÉ Director General and RTÉ Board have expressed apologies to Mr Gallagher.
RTÉ has instituted a full editorial review of standards and practices covering a range of issues but including the production of live audience-based programmes and the selection of audience members and questions.
RTÉ is also finalising new Programme-Makers’ Guidelines including a specific protocol on uses of Social Media in programme content. RTÉ responded yesterday to the Sunday Independent in respect of issues raised by it concerning Mr Pat McGuirk.
The question of any further regulatory process around these matters is not a matter for RTÉ to decide or influence and RTÉ will continue to be subject to full statutory regulation in addition to its own internal governance and management.