RTÉ has confirmed it received a total of nine formal complaints relating to its coverage of last week's fuel protests.
During the week of the protests, from Monday 7 April to Friday 12 April, the broadcaster received three formal complaints and since Monday this week, it has received an additional six formal complaints on the issue.
The broadcaster was responding to questions from RTÉ News arising from comments made by Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan.
On Monday, Mr O'Donovan said that he would ask Coimisiún na Meán to review the media coverage, including coverage from RTÉ News, of the fuel protests in recent days.
Mr O'Donovan is no longer seeking a review of the coverage following a meeting with Coimisiún na Meán officials yesterday.
Aside from the formal complaints, RTÉ also confirmed that its Information Office received 47 emails and calls from the public about the fuel protests.
Approximately half of these were in favour of the protestors, almost 40% were in favour of the Government and 10% were neutral.
Of the 47 emails/calls received, 34 of these were received this week.
When asked whether Minister O'Donovan had been in contact with RTÉ about the coverage, the broadcaster said he had not been in touch.
RTÉ also stated it had not been in contact with the minister or his department about his comments.
The broadcaster has confirmed that the figures are correct as of 3pm this afternoon.
The RTÉ Trade Union Group expressed "grave concern" at what it described as an attempt by Mr O’Donovan to interfere with the independent role of the public service broadcasting regulator Coimisiún na Meán.
In a statement, the RTÉ TUG said it endorses the stand taken by the National Union of Journalists, welcomes the response of Tánaiste Simon Harris and called on Mr O'Donovan to publicly withdraw his comments.
"The TUG congratulates RTÉ journalists and crews for their comprehensive coverage of what was a fast-developing and significant national story," according to the statement.
