Social Democrats leader, TD Holly Cairns, at home on her farm at Ardagh on Turk Head peninsula, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary
ADVERTISEMENT
The Dealer was intrigued to know why Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns was given the stage unopposed on RTÉ’s Primetime last Thursday to react to the RTÉ Investigates exposé on dairy calf mistreatment, so I made some enquiries.
While the agri ministerial trio of Charlie McConalogue, Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon were unavailable, RTÉ approached the IFA for a spokesperson.
I gather IFA president Tim Cullinan was discussed but was already pencilled in to attend the Bandon derogation rally, while deputy president Brian Rushe was unavailable due to farm commitments.
ADVERTISEMENT
I’m told the IFA offered its dairy policy executive Áine O’Connell, who has a PhD in dairy science and sits on the Department of Agriculture’s calf stakeholder forum.
However RTÉ declined. I’m told its editorial team didn’t want a staff member to debate a political leader.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The Dealer was intrigued to know why Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns was given the stage unopposed on RTÉ’s Primetime last Thursday to react to the RTÉ Investigates exposé on dairy calf mistreatment, so I made some enquiries.
While the agri ministerial trio of Charlie McConalogue, Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon were unavailable, RTÉ approached the IFA for a spokesperson.
I gather IFA president Tim Cullinan was discussed but was already pencilled in to attend the Bandon derogation rally, while deputy president Brian Rushe was unavailable due to farm commitments.
I’m told the IFA offered its dairy policy executive Áine O’Connell, who has a PhD in dairy science and sits on the Department of Agriculture’s calf stakeholder forum.
However RTÉ declined. I’m told its editorial team didn’t want a staff member to debate a political leader.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS