A Fianna Fáil candidate running for the office of Mayor of Limerick has said it is “fundamentally unfair” that some first-time Independent candidates are being “excluded” from an upcoming RTÉ debate.
The debate – which is set to take place on the ‘Upfront With Katie Hannon’ programme – is scheduled for next Monday.
In a video posted to social media today, candidate Dee Ryan said it was a matter of “fairness and choice” that Limerick voters were given the opportunity to consider “all candidates” running for office.
FAIRNESS & CHOICE; It’s crucial #Limerick voters have the opportunity to fully consider ALL candidates going forward for #DirectlyElectedMayor & I’ve joined the call for RTÉ @KatieGHannon show to reconsider the decision to exclude Independent candidates from upcoming debate. pic.twitter.com/5isO8ZYwCI
— Dee Ryan Dee4Mayor (@deecorbettryan) May 22, 2024
“I just want to add my concern and my voice to the calls for first-time independent candidates to be allowed to join the Katie Hannon debate next Monday,” she said.
“I really think it’s a disservice to the voters of Limerick not to have candidates who are campaigning as hard as I am…afforded the opportunity to answer questions from Katie, and to debate along with the rest of us on the issues that are important to us in Limerick.”
She added: “I’ve issued a media release today calling on the Katie Hannon show and RTÉ to reconsider their decision in the interest of fairness and inclusion.”
With the upcoming European, local and Limerick mayoral elections just weeks away, there has been some controversy surrounding the lineup for some of the televised debates to date.
Last week, Virgin Media’s ‘The Tonight Show’ hosted a European election debate for candidates running in the Dublin constituency, but only 5 candidates in total were featured – three from the government parties, one from Sinn Féin, and one Independent incumbent. 23 candidates are running in that constituency in total.
One of the excluded candidates, Niall Boylan of the Independent Ireland Party, said he “wasn’t invited”, adding: “That’s the Irish media, isn’t it? They just want to listen to the establishment parties all on the television agreeing with each other.”
People have been contacting me asking if I was going on the @TonightVMTV EU debate tonight. I wasn’t invited as that’s only for the ones they like and want voted in again and not for people like me who are against the Government and Shinners. All explained below 👇 pic.twitter.com/6Z9j6F50bT
— Niall Boylan (@Niall_Boylan) May 16, 2024
Similarly, a debate on RTÉ’s ‘Upfront with Katie Hannon’ for the European elections in the Midlands-North-West constituency excluded a number of candidates, including Rory Hearne of the Social Democrats.
“So here it is”, he said.
“I’m officially excluded from the RTE ‘debate’ on Midlands-North-West. A recognised expert on housing, representing a party with 6 TDs and 22 councillors. Excluded from the debate on Europe, despite many emails sent by people from across the country seeking my inclusion.”
So here it is.
I'm officially excluded from the RTE 'debate' on Midlands-North-West.
A recognised expert on housing, representing a party with 6TDs & 22 cllrs.
Excluded from the debate on Europe.
Despite many emails sent by people from across the country seeking my inclusion @RTE https://t.co/g3gHOip8Rs— Rory Hearne (@RoryHearneGaffs) May 17, 2024
Amid the controversy, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst shared that “the criteria for participation in the debates are set out openly and clearly” on the RTÉ website.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the criteria for participation in the debates are set out openly and clearly here: RTÉ Announces Series of Major TV Debates as part of its European Parliament Election Coverage http:https://t.co/CLv7hNPmIs via @rte
— Kevin Bakhurst (@kevinbakhurst) May 18, 2024
According to RTÉ’s “Broadcast Compliance” document on how they intend to approach the 2024 debates, the broadcaster points out that:
– Current elected representation
– First preference votes in a prior election
– Candidates campaigning on aligned election issues who are not members of a political party
– The number of candidates being fielded
– A diversity of political perspectives
– Current support as evident from opinion polls”
RTÉ has also said: “The overall consideration in our coverage is fairness – however fair treatment does not mean equal treatment between parties, groups and candidates.”