'Questions and Answers' finishes run after 23 years

FLAGSHIP RTÉ current affairs programme Questions and Answers is to come to an end in June – after 23 years on the air.

RTÉ said the decision was “very definitively” not due to cutbacks, and came in view of presenter John Bowman’s other commitments. He has been contracted to write a history of RTÉ television for its 50th anniversary in 2011, and will also be presenting a series of documentaries.

RTÉ has decided to end the series with Bowman’s departure from it, rather than replace him. “Given John’s central importance to its success, RTÉ has decided it will not continue the series,” RTÉ director-general Cathal Goan said in a statement. He described the programme, which is the second longest running series on RTÉ, as “an integral part of the national conversation for over 20 years”.

Bowman has presented the show since October 1988, when he signed up for one season. He said he never envisaged it would run for so long. It had been presented before Bowman’s tenure by Olivia O’Leary since its first broadcast in November 1986.

Bowman said he agreed with RTÉ’s decision on the timing of the change. He said it was a privilege to present the show, and attributed its success to the production team. “I concluded some time ago that once I had completed 20 years, it would be time to concentrate on my other interests within television,” he said in a statement. The programme will be replaced by a political current affairs show with public participation in the same Monday time slot, RTÉ confirmed.

Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan last night paid tribute to Bowman and his team for the “sterling job done for the past 21 years in stimulating political debate in Ireland”. He hoped the spirit of the programme in asking questions about politics and society would continue.

Labour communications spokeswoman Liz McManus did not welcome the decision, saying she believed the announcement would be greeted with relief by the Government. “While I acknowledge that RTÉ is facing serious financial problems, I think it is regrettable that the first programme to be dropped is Questions and Answers,” Ms McManus said. The show provided a unique opportunity for the public and has “often made life uncomfortable for Government ministers”, she added.

The importance of the series in the current climate was emphasised by Fine Gael communications spokesman Simon Coveney, who hoped it would be replaced by a similar programme.