Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The whistleblower, Mr. Shane Corr, was suspended last week because he put information in the public domain that explained the dysfunctionality of the Department of Health and the HSE. His actions were admirable and without doubt in the public interest. He has done this State some service but it appears if someone does the State a service, they will get suspended.

The chief executive of Wexford County Council, Mr. Tom Enright, has had one of the most damaging findings from the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, against him and, rather than suspend him pending an investigation, councillors in Wexford exonerated him, and gave him a round of applause and a standing ovation. These councillors were led by Fianna Fáil's chair, Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy. SIPO found, among other things, that Mr. Enright was using the weight of the public purse to influence editorial content at the local radio station, South East Radio. Days after the finding, Wexford County Council wrote to South East Radio seeking to influence editorial content yet again. I previously raised this matter with the Taoiseach in the House and, quite rightly, he condemned this appalling behaviour. However, following his condemnation, Wexford County Council wrote to South East Radio for the third time seeking to negotiate editorial terms in exchange for advertising in the guise of a service level agreement. South East Radio has called for an independent investigation and, according to yesterday's The Irish Times, states it is supported in this call by Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.

The Taoiseach's colleague, Fianna Fáil chairperson Barbara-Anne Murphy, said she was considering how to move matters forward. In that regard, the chief executive, Mr. Enright, and Fianna Fáil Councillor Murphy, now want to mediate on the terms of the editorial output of the radio station. It appears they think it is appropriate to mediate on one of the most fundamental principles that underwrites our democracy and Constitution, namely, freedom of the press. It further appears Government councillors believe the only wrong caused in this controversy was that all the correspondence was in writing. The controversy is very damaging and dangerous, not just for Wexford but as a whole.

Does the Taoiseach think it is appropriate to mediate with a broadcaster on its editorial policy? I do not believe he does. When will he take action to give effect to his own words and suspend the chief executive, pending the outcome of an investigation conducted by an independent senior counsel to be appointed? Does he believe, as his actions to date suggest, that a damning finding from SIPO is so irrelevant that no action should be taken?

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