Martina leaves RTÉ just weeks af ter losing role
She now plans ‘new professional adventures’
‘Shock’ at RTÉ’s decision
MARTINA Fitzgerald is leaving RTÉ just weeks after being replaced as political correspondent.
In a statement, Ms Fitzgerald said she is leaving ‘for new professional adventures’.
She said: ‘I take great pride in my work reporting from Leinster House as RTÉ’s political correspondent and especially covering the dramatic 2016 general election and subsequent prolonged government formation process, as well as the historic referendums on Marriage Equality and the Eighth Amendment.
‘I loved every minute reporting on political developments – and providing analysis and context – for RTÉ’s audience.
‘Thank you to my colleagues who helped me with all this work and to everyone for their loyalty and decency.’
Tweeting her statement yesterday, she told followers: ‘Looking forward now to a lovely Christmas & new adventures in 2019. Thanks to everyone for your loyalty & decency. Happy Christmas! Martina xxx.’
Commenting on her departure yesterday, Jon Williams, managing director RTÉ news and current affairs, said: ‘During her time in RTÉ, Martina has distinguished herself as a hard-working and dedicated journalist who has worked on many of RTÉ’s flagship radio and television programmes such as Morning Ireland and Six One News.
‘Martina reported extensively on a range of subjects, in particular as political correspondent based in Leinster House. We wish Martina every success in her future endeavours.’
Former RTÉ political correspondent Ms Fitzgerald, 46, who has worked for the public broadcaster for 18 years, was replaced and recalled to the newsroom after it was revealed that Paul Cunningham would take up the political correspondent position.
Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Enterprise Minister Heather Humphreys and former minister Mary O’Rourke were among those who expressed disappointment at Ms Fitzgerald’s removal when it was announced.
On the day she was due to take up her new role in the newsroom earlier this month, Ms Fitzgerald took a week off as annual leave.
She was understood to be consulting her lawyers and weighing up her options in pursuit of continuing in her role as a political correspondent. However she declined to comment publicly, based on legal advice.
Ironically, she had just written a bestselling book – about the problems women face in the political workplace.
Montrose formally announced earlier this month that Mr Cunningham would take over her job.
Neil O’Gorman, RTÉ’s corporate communications manager, told the Irish Daily Mail at the time that Ms Fitzgerald would ‘continue reporting as a journalist for RTÉ News.’
He indicated she would be reporting on ‘news topics’, and be based in the newsroom. ‘She will be a news reporter,’ he said.
However, people at the national broadcaster told this paper they were ‘shocked’ by the decision.
Mr Cunningham previously held the role of programme editor of The Week in Politics for four years, the national broadcaster said in its statement.
He has also worked as both Europe correspondent and environment correspondent for RTÉ News.
Under a deal agreed by RTÉ unions, correspondence positions are reviewed every five years. After her first term as a political correspondent, Ms Fitzgerald recently re-applied for the job. Mr Cunningham also applied for the role, which was advertised internally as an open competition.
A four-member interview board heard from the two applicants for the post. Mr Cunningham, who shared his success on social media last week, has declined to comment.
sean.dunne@dailymail.ie