WATCH: Sharon Ní Bheoláin's interview at the Web Summit has not gone down well

The RTÉ anchor was at the tech conference to interview the Summit's founders and Twitter users have branded it 'disgraceful'.

Wed, 04 Nov, 2015 - 09:28

Ciara Flaherty

The Web Summit is entering its second day and despite the thousands of delegates and dozens of prestigious speakers, the controversies just won’t go away.

Last night, on the Six One News, Sharon Ní Bheoláin was at the RDS for a live broadcast marking the first day of the biggest tech conference of the year.

As Ní Bheoláin pointed out at the beginning of the interview, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave reportedly pulled out at the last minute, and co-founder Daire Hickey stepped in

Waiting to go on @rtenews at #websummit pic.twitter.com/8DxrqoRgoU
— Daire Hickey (@hidaire) November 3, 2015

And Sharon didn't hold back, as she questioned Daire on the 'testy' first day of the conference, the controversial decision to relocate the conference to Lisbon for the next three years and the 'bitter' clashes with the Government over the move.

Viewers took to Twitter to criticise the combative interview, with many saying Ní Bheoláin got the tone of the piece wrong.

That Sharon ni Bheolain video re #websummit is a disgrace.. RTE should be ashamed.. @hidaire handled it spectacularly though!
— Ben L (@purplebenny) November 4, 2015

I dont think @hidaire got to finish even one sentence?! @rtenews you suck!!!!
— Chloe Cavey (@stndufyob9095) November 4, 2015

Wow. The way Sharon and @rtenews approached that interview with Daire Hickey was disgraceful. I've no great love for WS but that was bad.
— Mark Breen (@mark_breen) November 3, 2015

Others, however, thought she handled the interview well.

So Sharon finally decides to be a journalist and not take PR spun shit from a guy and she's now the bad guy. 😂 #websummit #rte
— Karl (@Craicthewhip_) November 4, 2015

Well done to Sharon Ni Bheolain for that #websummit interview. Also very impressed by how @hidaire handled the grilling too #properinterview
— Alan O'Mara (@AOMTHECAT) November 4, 2015

It's not the only snaggle to hit the Summit on its first day.

Yesterday, delegates also voiced their complaints of the value and standard of food at the event. While last year they were fed for free, this year, there is a token-based system. €20 gets you one token and you exchange that for your meal plus a snack and a drink.

This is what a 20euro voucher buys you at #websummit. MASSIVE CON. Don't buy them. What's the deal @WebSummitHQ? pic.twitter.com/Q8OntagWaw
— Paul Archer (@Paul_K_Archer) November 3, 2015