Pantigate: Legal issues can't diminish public debate, Rabbitte warns RTÉ

The Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, has issued a statement on the controversy between RTÉ and the Iona Institute this afternoon, warning the national broadcaster that legal claims cannot be allowed to affect its public service obligations.

In his statement, the Minster said the term 'homophobe' – at the centre of the controversy – was not one he would use himself to label "those who disagree with me on issues of gay equality in general or gay marriage in particular."