RTÉ HAS earned and enjoys a privileged position. It has informed and entertained us and it has helped us to reach decisions that have shaped our society.

THE publisher of a book on cocaine use that has provoked a storm of controversy yesterday admitted her claim she recorded an interview with a cocaine-snorting minister raised serious issues about her credibility.

RTÉ last night launched an internal investigation into a controversial two-part documentary on cocaine abuse, following conflicting accounts about the existence of a taped interview with a minister.

THERE are times when stories crop up in print that seem just too good to be true.

THE RTÉ Authority will this week discuss a controversial documentary that backs a claim that a government minister abused cocaine.

A PROMINENT Fine Gael front bench spokesman last night called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to confirm that none of his ministers have abused cocaine, despite an RTÉ decision not to air the claim.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was yesterday challenged to investigate a claim that one of his senior ministers was a regular consumer of cocaine.

The author of a book in which a Government minister allegedly admits to using cocaine today refused to name the politician.

A politician, a priest and a pilot rely on hard drugs to get through their working days, a new book sensationally claims.