Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The fact that this is our public service broadcaster is critical because we expect a higher standard. We expect balance because we pay a licence fee. We expect it to defend the principles of public service broadcasting. If that means taking the challenge of litigation, that must be taken up. It starts with one thing and all of a sudden we find the erosion of a whole lot of principles and rights in terms of debate. In a democracy we cannot accept that. I asked the Minister a number of questions about the code of conduct. It was changed the day the payout happened. There was a resignation the day after. Did the Minister have any knowledge of that? Did he have any involvement in requesting that resignation? Does he see this as a serious conflict of interest by somebody who is a litigant? The money should be paid back because there is a serious conflict of interest here.

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