RTE is planning a new latenight political programme on Network 2. Currently such programmes tend to concentrate on daily or weekly events and feature the protagonists, Ministers and deputies. Later On Two will go out three nights a week at 11.15 p.m. with one night of politics, one of women's issues and one of modern culture. The politics will take a behind-the-scenes look and will star the handlers and apparatchiks who work with the major figures and parties. Several pilots have been made and, under producer Deirdre Younge, late of Prime Time, everything is moving ahead quickly for a December start.
The only delay is finding a second presenter. P.J. Mara was sought but had too many commitments. And who is the first presenter? It is said to be one Fergus Finlay, Labour Party adviser, campaign manager for Adi Roche and critic of The Irish Times.