Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There are no guidelines and I do not believe there should be any strict rules of engagement. There is always a two-way communication process between Government and media organisations and this also applies to Opposition party press officers. It would be unhelpful to have any form of ban or restrictions on such communications or to suggest that there should be guidelines on Government communications with the media which would not apply in the case of Opposition parties. Such a scenario would be absolutely unworkable.

Last month, I read of reports of the communications personnel of the main Opposition party making direct contact with the director general of RTE regarding complaints. Therefore, it is inaccurate to refer only to disagreement between Government and the media. People cannot have it both ways. There should not be a different set of rules for certain press advisers who complain to RTE but not others. There will always be issues in the relationship between the media and the Government and between the media and Opposition parties. The matter cannot be dealt with through a vague set of written guidelines. I am not in favour of any restrictions and a two-way relationship remains appropriate.

Regarding the specific matter in March raised by the Deputy, the Government press secretary contacted RTE regarding a broadcast last month. It stated it had already decided the particular broadcast was inappropriate before any complaints were made and this is an important point. I understand a number of complaints were received.

Regarding the question of contacting the director-general, it may have been that the news editor was not available at the time but I do not know. However, I was not involved and I did not give any instruction. Perhaps the fact that they know each other was a means by which he could communicate the seriousness of his concern as quickly as possible to a relevant member of RTE who was available.

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