Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sequence of events arising from “The Saturday Night Show” give rise to serious concerns on how public discourse is conducted, the language we use, the labels we apply to others and, more important, the role of our public service broadcaster. I believe RTE was erroneous and wrong in what it did in this case. It folded too quickly. Who advised the broadcaster on this? What was the nature of the advice? Were those who gave this advice involved in other organisations? Our public service broadcaster has an obligation to provide balanced, responsible and fair transmission of social matters and issues. As a public service broadcaster, it must facilitate fair and balanced debate on matters of public importance. Central to this obligation, I believe, must be an entitlement of these participating on programmes in RTE to voice honestly held opinions and make fair comment. RTE must act as a fair arbitrator and stand by the right of people to voice honestly held opinions on its platforms. Otherwise, it acts to undermine its public service remit.

There is a contrast with what RTE did in this case and what happened in the Abbey Theatre several days ago when the whole issue of homophobia and LGBT rights was fully explored. RTE, on the other hand, parked a debate on this at the first opportunity. What would happen if we were discussing racism? If somebody was accused of racism, would that have to be defended too? As Deputy Lyons rightly said, we have made many advances in the area of rights for gay people in this country. Where there is homophobia, however, it must be challenged and stood up to. I hope this debate today will lead to a national discourse on this matter leading up to the referendum on marriage equality.

See this speech in context