Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne has told the Seanad that RTÉ has no business telling the Oireachtas what it can discuss and debate.
He was referring to a story in The Irish Times, which reported that the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad told Senators this week that a party to the proceedings in a court case had contacted him to say that the issue should not be discussed in the Oireachtas, as it was before the courts.
Senator Byrne repeatedly quizzed the Cathaoirleach as to whether he had been happy to discuss the issue and be advised by RTÉ on the issue.
He said he was concerned that RTÉ was putting pressure on the Cathaoirleach.
Mr Byrne said that he and his party were trying to protect the Cathaoirleach from being attacked by RTÉ.
He said what was discussed in the House was none of RTÉ's business.
Shouting, he said RTÉ has no business telling the Cathaoirleach what to do and how to deal with Standing Orders of the House.
He said the Cathaoirleach should have told RTÉ to go away at the very least, and should have used the vernacular to do so, an example of which he said he would not give in the House.
The Cathaoirleach repeatedly tried to stop Senator Byrne, saying he was speaking out of order.
At one point, he said he had not been speaking to RTÉ.
Another Fianna Fáil Senator, Mark Daly, said he wanted to know if RTÉ had made contact with the Oireachtas to tell "us to keep our noses out of their misdeeds".
Independent Senator Rónán Mullen also tried to raise the issue, but the Cathaoirleach put a stop to the contribution.
