Minister Rabbitte Says No Need for Changes to RTE Board

Galway Bay Fm
May 8, 2012

http://www.galwaynews.ie/25680-minister-rabbitte-says-no-need-changes-rte-board

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has said there should be no changes on the board of RTÉ in the wake of the mistakes in the Mission to Prey programme

Minister Rabbitte has held a two hour meeting on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's report on the Prime Time Investigates programme of May last year

The Minister says the Board offered no excuses for what had happened and accepted it caused damage not only to Ahascragh parish priest Fr Kevin Reynolds but also to the reputation of RTÉ.

The BAI found that the programme broadcast serious, damaging and untrue allegations about Fr Reynolds.

The report, published last Friday, found there had been a significant failure of editorial and managerial controls within RTÉ and imposed a fine of €200,000.

Today Minister Rabbitte says he's satisfied that the board of RTE fully appreciates the seriousness of the libeling of Fr Kevin Reynolds.

Minister Rabbitte said at this morning's meeting no member of the board offered their resignation over the affair- nor were resignations sought by him.

He said the board has agreed to make a submission to the government within a week setting out what actions they propose to take to ensure there's no repeat of the affair in the future.

He also said there may have to be changes to the law to ensure greater compliance with broadcasting rules.

But Minister Rabbitte said he believes the board of RTE is acting appropriately.

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