RTÉ news chief’s shock after Leo’s lavish praise

THE Taoiseach’s attack on RTÉ prompted a shocked response from the national broadcaster – given Leo Varadkar had been effusive in his praise of its work last month.

Jon Williams, managing director of RTÉ News, tweeted: ‘In NYC, Taoiseach critical of investigative journalism. Just last month, hailed @RTÉ_PrimeTime for #RTÉinvestigates into hospital consultants – said #RTÉ ‘did the country a service’.

In fact, Mr Varadkar has praised the work of RTÉ Investigates in the Dáil on two different occasions in June: after revelations about the use of private investigators by the Government to spy on hospital consultants moonlighting privately; and after exposing long-term illegal dumping by companies with council permits in Co. Donegal.

When the Taoiseach was asked about this episode during Leaders’ Questions, he praised RTÉ Investigates as an ‘excellent programme’, going on to say: ‘What we saw on RTÉ Investigates was a disturbing picture that tells us that we have a long way to go when it comes to waste enforcement in Ireland.’