Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think that what happened on “Prime Time” should never happen on “Prime Time”. I am a former employer and I have read your statement. If I were going to employ someone, I would consider the reference you gave in your statement to be unbelievable, because you said:

I would like to put on the record again the significant contribution Ms Ní Raghallaigh has made over the past 15 months. Her commitment to transforming RTÉ was obvious and I want to offer genuine thanks for her hard work.

First, you mentioned the phrases "genuine", "hard work" and "commitment to transforming". To me, that is someone for whom you have a lot of respect. Ms Ní Raghallaigh had been there for the last 15 months. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like you have thrown her under the bus or made her a scapegoat. Ms Ní Raghallaigh has worked for you for the last 15 months. Do you honestly believe that by not giving a vote of confidence to Ms Ní Raghallaigh last Thursday night, she was not going to do what she did? Let us say “Prime Time” was on this Thursday night and you had to go for the same meeting, would you say the same thing about your chairperson?