‘Significant omission’ in Frontline questioning of Higgins

Michael D Higgins got an easier ride than the other candidates in the RTÉ Frontline debate ahead of last year’s presidential election, a report produced for the national broadcaster says.

The report said in addition to the more controversial flaws in the show, which have already been identified in other inquiries, the failure to subject Mr Higgins to a question from the audience was a “significant omission”. “It was wrong that no direct, challenging question from an audience member was posed to... Michael D Higgins,” it said, adding that while he was challenged in other aspects of the debate, he should not have escaped a question from the floor.

The report also criticised the fact that one of the audience questions came from a person who had a relation in the production team. The questioner was also a member of a political party and this was not flagged. It said the selection of the audience gave undue weight to people who had previously contacted the Pat Kenny radio show on certain issues.