Sir, – I note RTÉ’s head of corporate communications Kevin Dawson, attempting to defend a lack of dismissals following the Prime Time libel case with the observation that “it is very difficult for a rolled head to learn anything” (Home News, November 18th). This may indeed be true, however you can be assured that those remaining heads still attached to their torsos will go through a deep and rapid learning experience. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Am I correct in thinking that the compensation paid recently by RTÉ to Fr Reynolds will be met by public money in the form of the licence fee?
If this is the case, surely as a tax payer I am entitled to expect accountability from RTÉ? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – When will we hear from the Minister, from the chairman of the board of RTÉ, or from the chief executive of RTÉ, about the punishment of those accountable for last May’s scandalous Prime Time defamation? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – No one deserves to be falsely accused of abuse. We must ensure the justice and fairness of democracy holds sway. Reputations must be restored.
That one Catholic priest who proves he was not the father of said child in Africa should reportedly get over €1 million in compensation whilst children raped and buggered by other clergy get a quarter of that in compensation, and then only after much wrangling and fighting does not seem to me to be justice or indeed “fair”.
There are many clergy sexual abuse victims still languishing in poverty, hopelessness and despair awaiting justice and compensation they deserve, but sure as “eggs is eggs” they won’t be getting €1 million plus. Even if their childhood and adulthood was ruined. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Should we continue to pay the licence fee? The main presenters on RTÉ still receive “Celtic Tiger” salaries as they interview people about the “credit crunch” and how it has affected them.
More recently it has caused great trauma in the life of Fr Kevin Reynolds. For €700 (the price of a paternity test) it could have saved him and his loved ones a lot of heartache. But instead it has landed us, the licence-payers, with damages for an undisclosed sum.
I think we should no longer render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. – Yours, etc,