Harris and Fine Gael have come under mounting pressure to provide more detail on who contacted RTÉ
Taoiseach Simon Harris: he said there was constant engagement between all parties and RTÉ – and with other media outlets – and he was satisfied there was nothing inappropriate about any contacts. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty ImagesA video of Mr Harris being challenged by the worker, Charlotte Fallon, in Kanturk last Friday evening went viral online.
Mr Harris has rejected suggestions that contact made by Fine Gael with RTÉ was an attempt to influence how the broadcaster handled the controversial clip. However, the Taoiseach and Fine Gael have come under mounting pressure to provide more detail on who contacted RTÉ, and to provide a full account of interactions between Mr Harris’s team and the national broadcaster on the matter. On Wednesday reporters pressed Mr Harris about remarks he made during Monday night’s televised debate where he said he didn’t believe thatElection 2024 live updates: Simon Harris ‘not sure’ if he will canvass with Fine Gael candidate John McGahon in LouthFine Gael row erupts in Wexford amid claim of ‘old boys’ club’ favouring one candidate He was also asked about allegations that Fine Gael had suggested to RTÉ that Ms Fallon was a member of Sinn Féin.Pressed as to whether he didn’t believe it to be the case or knew it to be the case, Mr Harris twice repeated: “I’ve asked that question and I do not believe it to be the case”. The main opposition party Sinn Féin has seized on the issue, calling on RTÉ to publish details of any correspondence with Mr Harris’s party. Its director of elections, Matt Carthy, argued that Fine Gael has “refused to come clean on this issue which goes right to the heart of the democratic process. In the interests of transparency and to assure the public that the national broadcaster is not facing undue pressure by government parties, RTÉ needs to publish details of the correspondence with Fine Gael in relation to the Kanturk incident.”Mr Harris said there was constant engagement between all parties and RTÉ – and with other media outlets – and that he was satisfied that there was nothing inappropriate about any contacts. Mr Harris added that his party – unlike the Sinn Féin leader – was not suing RTÉ or proposing to review RTÉ. Asked if he would encourage RTÉ to publish the nature of the representations from Fine Gael, Mr Harris said that RTÉ had already commented on the issue, and said it received regular contacts from parties. Elsewhere, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said he was not aware of who made any representations from Fine Gael to RTÉ about the Kanturk video, but has satisfied himself that they were entirely appropriate.Election 2024 live updates: Simon Harris ‘not sure’ if he will canvass with Fine Gael candidate John McGahon in LouthFar-right candidate accused of assaulting relative of political rival in BrayMiriam Lord’s debate rankings: Did Harris get a shot at redemption? Did Martin or McDonald land a knockout blow?‘Serial evasion’ and ‘brittle impatience’: Our writers give their verdict on the leaders’ debateElection 2024 live updates: Simon Harris ‘not sure’ if he will canvass with Fine Gael candidate John McGahon in Louth
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