RTÉ executives will not now face an Oireachtas committee hearing over a discussion about transgender issues on the RTÉ Radio 1 programme Liveline, and the decision of Dublin Pride to end its media partnership with the broadcaster.
The Committee on Arts, Tourism, Culture and Media has informed RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes that it will not be proceeding with the hearings that had been scheduled to take place next week.
An invitation was issued to RTÉ representatives on Wednesday after Dublin Pride announced it was terminating its media partnership with RTÉ with immediate effect, saying it was "angered and disappointed" by recent discussions about the transgender community on the Liveline programme.
But last night, the committee wrote to the broadcaster stating that, because a number of formal complaints had been received by RTÉ which are being dealt with under the formal legal procedures it "does not consider it appropriate to examine the circumstances involved further at this time".
The committee's decision followed correspondence from RTÉ on Thursday seeking clarity around the "parameters of the discussion" that it proposed would take place with TDs and Senators.
Head of Editorial Standards and Compliance Brian Dowling wrote: "RTÉ confirms that a number of formal complaints regarding the Liveline programme are now being dealt with under the relevant statutory and regulatory provisions and the persons who exercised their statutory rights have an entitlement to have those complaints processed in accordance with the relevant provisions and to receive a written response from RTÉ in the first instance."
The letter also pointed out that some committee members had expressed views publicly on the content of the programmes.
It continued: "Committee members are entitled to publicly air views on any programmes, but we trust members would concur that it is not the role of the committee to investigate, examine or adjudicate the content of broadcast programmes, on RTÉ or any other broadcaster."
The committee has now asked RTÉ to submit a statement on its "vision and strategy for diversity and inclusion".
