David Norris says RTE corruption documentary was 'entrapment'

Senator David Norris has said a TV documentary showing some councillors appearing to ask for money in exchange for help with planning matters, was entrapment.

The hard-hitting documentary detailed Cllr Joe Queenan and other local politicians appearing to agree to lobby on behalf of a dummy company in exchange for cash or the promise of cash.

Cllr Queenan resigned from Fianna Fáil as a result of the RTE programme, while Donegal and Monaghan councils are investigating the appearance of two independent representatives in the documentary.

Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Joe Queenan #RTEInvestigateshttps://t.co/KNHfeYELRU

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015

Senator Norris said the programme was not investigative journalism, and was provocative.

"I completely think it was entrapment (and) a disgraceful programme," he said.

"I was horrified by the corruption and the sly, compliant wink and the scrabbling of (Cllr Hughie McElvaney's) claws as he trousered and pocketed in mime all this money...

"But that was not investigative reporting. It was provocative reporting."

Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Hughie McElvaney #RTEInvestigateshttps://t.co/7TGXJK2wyj

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015