People Before Profit-Solidarity TDs Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy have defended their decision not to take questions from reporters from the Gript media outlet as they disagree with its political and editorial stance.
The two TDs outlined their position during a Leinster House plinth engagement, after a row at the same venue last week saw Deputy Coppinger decline to take a question from a Gript journalist.
Deputy Coppinger said in the aftermath of last week's interaction she was subjected to what she described as "vile threats" online and had to "go the gardaí on two occasions".
Deputy Coppinger and Deputy Murphy said while they accept Gript has the right to ask questions, the TDs said "we have the right to say no".
Deputy Murphy said in his view Gript, which is a member of the Press Council of Ireland, is a right wing outlet with connections to conservative groups.
He said while People Before Profit-Solidarity often disagree with other media outlets, citing RTÉ, the Irish Times, the Daily Mail and others, they still engage with them, saying: "We will engage with the media."
However, he said in his view Gript does not fall into this category, and that this is why his group's TDs will not engage with them, saying: "We draw a very clear line."
Today's plinth engagement saw a lengthy back and forth discussion between a number of journalists and People Before Profit-Solidarity, over whether the position was valid or not.
They included a Gript reporter, who did not respond to People Before Profit-Solidarity's view of the situation, or the organisation.
