Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan has admitted that he “made a hames” of how he expressed himself when he asked media regulator Coimisiún na Meán to review press coverage of the fuel protests that took place last week, reports RTE.
Following a meeting with Coimisiún na Meán, Mr O’Donovan withdrew the request earlier in the week, reports RTE.
The decision drew criticism, with Tánaiste Simon Harris stating there was “no need” for a formal review, while the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) labelled the Minister’s comments as “sinister and deeply disturbing.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr O’Donovan acknowledged that he could “definitely have used a better formula of words” when making his point, reports RTE.
“One of the things that we can all take from the previous ten days is that we should all be able to look back and say, ‘Is there anything that I would have done differently?'” he said.
“In hindsight, I should have used the word engage, chat to, talk to, which is exactly what I did on Tuesday.
“When I met Coimisiún na Meán, they told me that they have upwards of 200 different complaints with regard to media coverage.
“I didn’t over step the mark, but what I think I did do is I probably made a hames of what I was trying to say, which was that at the end of the day it is very important in a democracy that everybody’s voice is heard,” reports RTE.
The Minister stated that he and his department share a “very good relationship” with Coimisiún na Meán and that he “respects the role that they have.”
“I respect the fact that they have up to 200 different complaints at the moment that they are charged statutorily to investigate,” he said, adding that he will “absolutely” leave Coimisiún na Meán to deal with itself, reports RTE.
Mr O’Donovan confirmed he will be introducing a new bill concerning media legislation in the near future.
“When it comes to legislation in this space, I’m bringing forward a bill in the not too distant future around media independence and the importance of making sure that we have a strong robust media,” he said.
“I’ve done that with a variety of different schemes whether it’s in relation to local democracy, courts reporting, and direct supports to Coimisiún na Meán to make it the organisation that it is today.
“They’re not the actions I think of somebody who wants to interfere,” the Minister added, reports RTE.
Mr O’Donovan declined to comment on reports that he approved a €20k pay increase for RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst, which was reportedly sought and recommended by the Board.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate, considering the fact that this is a matter that’s still under consideration by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform,” he said, reports RTE.
“There was a recommendation in our department for upwards of three months. I’ve dealt with it, and I’m not going to get into the weeds or the detail with regard to what was sought and what I recommended to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. But the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has a recommendation from me. What was sought is an entirely different matter,” Mr O’Donovan added, reports RTE.
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