RTÉ seeks costs against Green trustee after legal challenge

RTÉ is seeking legal costs against a Green Party trustee following rejection of his legal challenge to the broadcaster’s refusal to invite Green Party leader Eamon Ryan to participate in a televised party leaders debate.

The debate, broadcast on February 15, featured seven leaders, from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, the Social Democrats, and Renua.

Just hours before the debate, Ms Justice Marie Baker gave her High Court ruling dismissing arguments by Green Party trustee Tom Kivlehan that the broadcaster’s criterion stipulating only parties with three TDs in the outgoing Dáil could be invited to participate was unfair, undemocratic, and unconstitutional, and breached RTÉ’s legal obligations a public service broadcaster.