THE APOLOGIES
EILEEN DUNNE ON NEWS AT NINE:
Hands up. As you’ve seen I too was photographed at the “farewell for Phil” and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my lack of judgment, particularly to my RTÉ colleagues who have worked so hard to keep this campus Covid-free over the past eight months. I’ve let you all down and I’m sorry.
BRYAN DOBSON, SPEAKING ON RTÉ NEWS AT ONE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON:
‘Before we go any further, I’d like to take a moment to comment on that report in today’s Sun newspaper about a gathering here in RTÉ last week at which I was photographed beside a colleague who was retiring. ‘We are advised strongly under Covid-19 guidelines not to be in such proximity to another person outside our immediate family bubble and I want, once again, to unreservedly apologise for my lapse in judgment in posing for the photograph – the responsibility is mine alone. ‘I’m sorry to everyone who has sacrificed so much in recent months to those who have lost loved ones who are living with the aftereffects of the infection to those who have lost their jobs, livelihoods, their businesses, those who have been isolated from family and friends. ‘On this programme we’ve vigorously debated Covid measures, but what is not disputed is that each of us should make every effort to observe the restrictions in place at any given time. I’d be very concerned if any action of mine undermined that vital life-saving public health advice.’
JON WILLIAMS (RTÉ’S MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS):
‘I deeply regret not thinking through the consequences of a momentary lapse of judgment. It was wrong and I’m very sorry.’ He also sent an email to his colleagues, apologising for posing in a photograph during the ‘impromptu farewell’. ‘Last week there was an impromptu farewell for a colleague who was retiring after 40 years. A small number of us who were in work on the day gathered to say goodbye,’ he said. ‘While social distancing was observed overall and it was in compliance with RTÉ’s site protocols, afterwards, some of us posed briefly for a photo with our retiring colleague. ‘It was only for a moment and it was done with the best of intentions – as indeed were the actions of other colleagues. But it was wrong. And I’m very sorry. ‘I’m particularly sorry that, after so many people have worked so hard across News and Current Affairs – and throughout RTÉ – during the pandemic, we’re making news for the wrong reasons.’