The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has said it has not received any direct evidence that would cause it to review its decision to uphold complaints made to it about last October's presidential debate on RTÉ's Frontline programme and subsequent coverage on the Today with Pat Kenny radio show.
In a statement this evening, the BAI said its compliance committee met today and considered allegations that the programme makers had influenced an audience member in respect of the question asked during the Frontline programme.
The authority said the committee noted it had not received any direct evidence which would cause it to review its decision issued last week.
However, it added that it would consider the matter further if any direct evidence emerges.
The BAI also noted that RTÉ had instituted a full editorial review of its programme-making practices, and said it would ask the station to show it the findings of that review when complete.
Once the findings have been considered, the compliance committee will decide whether any further action is required, the statement added.
In a statment RTÉ noted the comments of the BAI and said it would make the findings of its editorial review available to the authority once completed.
Taoiseach: BAI to decide any Frontline probe
The Taoiseach has indicated that any further investigation required into the Frontline controversy should be conducted by the BAI.
Enda Kenny told the Dáil that the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, had forwarded the latest letter from Seán Gallagher to the Compliance Committee of the BAI, and that if there is anything requiring further investigation, it will be done "expeditiously".
He was responding to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said there was "an element of unfinished business here."
Deputy Martin and asked if the Taoiseach was satisfied that public confidence could be restored by the steps being taken
Mr Kenny replied: "I hope it can.”
Mr Martin said that public service broadcasting is a central part of a democratic society.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Mr Martin said questions were raised about standards at RTÉ. He said the doubts and concerns raised needed to be addressed and asked the Taoiseach to comment on the role of the national broadcaster.
The Fianna Fáil leader said objectivity on the part of RTÉ is paramount, and he asked what the Government would do to make sure standards were acceptable.
The Taoiseach said he agreed objectivity was critical in a national broadcaster. He added that the matter of the tweet has been investigated by the the BAI.
He said there was no evidence that there had been a deliberate skewing of the programme.
Mr Kenny said Deputy Andrew Doyle had said that RTÉ will be brought before an Oireachtas Committee to answer questions.
Later, a Government spokesman confirmed there was a "brief" discussion at today's Cabinet meeting about the controversy.
The subject was not on the formal agenda for today's meeting.
Gallagher was 'set up', says Senator
Senator Ronan Mullen told the Seanad that the “setting up” of Mr Gallagher on the Frontline programme affected the outcome of the Presidential election, and the matter is very serious.
He said when a person makes a complaint to the regulator, RTÉ just acknowledges the complaint.
He called for a further debate on media standards in the Seanad.
Senator Mullen said Transport Minister Leo Varadkar was the first minister to identify a particular bias in RTÉ on certain issues from time to time.
He said it was a frank assessment by Minister Varadkar and he said, he noted a tendency in Minister Pat Rabbitte's comments to let RTÉ off the hook.
Senator Jim D'arcy said RTÉ is the national broadcaster and it is important that trust is maintained in the station. He said it is in RTÉ's interest that there is an independent inquiry.
Senator Paschal Mooney agreed that an internal enquiry was not enough. He said there is a team of dedicated and committed journalists in RTÉ, and an independent inquiry would be in their interest.
