'Serious lapse of judgement': RTÉ apologises after 'impromptu' party
Miriam O'Callaghan, David McCullagh, Bryan Dobson have apologised for their lapse of judgement.
RTÉ has apologised after a number of its staff and broadcasters were photographed beside each other at a "short, impromptu" party.
Station personnel were seen posing for photographs with a long-serving colleague on her last day at work.
Those photographed were seen not wearing face masks or coverings and social distancing was not fully observed.
The event took place on November 15 when Ireland was in Level 5 of the Living with Covid restrictions.
During Level 5, all social gatherings are prohibited.
In a statement, the broadcaster says social distancing was observed throughout and the brief contacts between people, while the photos were being taken, were "well-intentioned" and "unnecessarily risky."
Among those present were Byran Dobson, David McCullagh and Miriam O'Callaghan, who have all apologised for what they described as an error in judgement.
Managing Director of News & Current Affairs Jon Williams, who was also in attendance said in a statement: "I deeply regret not thinking through the consequences of a momentary lapse of judgement. It was wrong and I'm very sorry."
RTÉ said it takes public health advice "with the utmost seriousness and has implemented detailed workplace protocols which have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic".
It added: "These have been essential in keeping staff and visitors/programme guests safe whilst on site.
"Because of the measures taken by RTÉ, no cases of Covid-19 have so far been transmitted on campus."
They said the event should not have happened and has reminded staff of their obligations to follow public health advice.
On RTÉ's lunchtime news programme, Brian Dobson said "We are advised strongly under Covid-19 guidelines not to be in such close proximity to another person outside our immediate family bubble and I want once again to unreservedly apologise for my lapse in judgement in posing for the photograph, the responsibility is mine alone.
"I'm sorry to everyone who has sacrificed so much in recent months to those who have lost loved ones who are living with the after-effects of the infection to those who have lost their jobs, livelihoods, their businesses, those who have been isolated from family and friends."
The National Union of Journalists is requesting a review of the evening's event.
Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, NUJ, has requested the RTÉ Trade Union Group to seek a meeting with the joint employer-employee Covid 19 group within the organisation.
In a statement, he said: "As a trade union representing workers in the building we believe that the Covid committee should examine all aspects of this gathering and put in place measures to ensure that such egregious breaches do not occur again."
Meanwhile, Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally said he was speechless when he saw the photographs.
Dr Scally told RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne the photos showed people with their arms around each other "standing on a mat which says keep at least two metres distance".
He said he welcomed the apology from the broadcaster but said it represented an irresponsible lapse in judgement.
Dr Scally compared it to the Oireachtas Golf Society event and said there can be no more chapters similar to this "where it looks to people that it is one rule for them but not for prominent individuals".
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