The Taoiseach has called on RTÉ to explain a decision not to broadcast an interview with Shane Ross about his new book on Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Last week, RTÉ Radio decided not to air an interview with the former Minister for Transport about his biography on Deputy McDonald, which had been recorded for Today with Claire Byrne.
This afternoon, Micheál Martin told the Dáil that "such a development has a chilling effect on public debate and on democracy, of that there is no doubt".
"Obviously, the national broadcaster is taking a cautious position here, and because of a fear of being sued will not publish the interview, or will not broadcast the interview," he said.
"That's something that demands greater transparency and explanation."
Mr Martin said that he understands that "a political party got access to the interview to listen to it".
"I don't think I was ever afforded that opportunity as leader of the opposition – ever," he said.
However, in a statement RTÉ said that "broadcasters have editorial independence to decide what they cover and broadcast". It also confirmed that no one was given access to the recorded interview.
Mr Martin made the comments in response to Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe who criticised the decision by "RTÉ radio to drop the heavily sanitised interview that they had with former minister and TD Shane Ross" on his book on Mary Lou MacDonald.
"RTÉ has some very serious questions to answer," Deputy Kehoe said, as Newstalk and Today FM had broadcast their interviews with Mr Ross.
"I'm not sure what they're afraid of," he said, adding that it is "censorship of the highest order".
The Taoiseach has called on RTÉ to explain a decision not to broadcast an interview with Shane Ross about his new book on Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald | Read more: https://t.co/TMGoAXcDqx pic.twitter.com/2uC5GEyZYo
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 11, 2022
In his Sunday Independent column, Shane Ross said that he had agreed to a pre-recorded interview with the Today with Claire Byrne radio programme.
Mr Ross wrote: "RTÉ shocked everyone involved – informing the book's publicity agent that the sanitised interview had been pulled.
"Asked why, they did not offer legal grounds, but instead cited the utterly vague 'editorial guidelines'."
In a statement RTÉ said: "Broadcasters have editorial independence to decide what they cover and broadcast. That is a principle the BAI acknowledge.
"With many competing stories and items each day, it is not unusual for a pre-recorded interview not to be broadcast.
"In this instance, the decision not to broadcast was an editorial decision and was not influenced by any legal issues.
"RTÉ can also confirm that no one was given access to the recorded interview."
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said it is a matter for RTÉ what they choose to broadcast or not.
"It is highly unusual for the Fianna Fáil leader to use Dáil time in this way, particularly when his information is completely incorrect," a statement said.
"Sinn Féin did not receive a copy of any interview, nor was it sought."
