RTÉ fallout from Fr Reynolds controversy

In Fergus Finlay’s opinion, (May 28) RTÉ is in the “safe hands of honest and skilled Tom Savage”.

“Honesty” is irrelevant to the matter in hand.

Instead, there are two words that ought to be used with regard to Tom Savage and his handling of the Fr Kevin Reynolds debacle at the broadcaster of which he is chairman: “Competent” and ”incompetent”.

The whole country was aware, days before the infamous programme, that there were problems.

Fr Reynolds was denying the allegation that he had fathered a child in Africa, and had even offered to take a paternity test to prove his innocence.

Surely, Tom Savage must have been aware of all of this? After all, he is in the communications business. Yet, this “skilled” chairman apparently did nothing to halt the screening.

“Skilled”? Events have proven otherwise. “Incompetent”? Yes.

I have known personally two former chairmen of RTÉ, Eamonn Andrews and Fred O’Donovan.

Neither of these men, in my opinion, would have allowed RTÉ to broadcast that programme.

Martin J Gordon

Castle Rd

Blackrock

Cork