Cullen takes action against RTÉ

SOLICITORS acting for Transport Minister Martin Cullen have written to RTÉ outlining his annoyance at lewd suggestions made about him and his PR adviser Monica Leech on the Joe Duffy Liveline programme before Christmas.

But Mr Cullen's spokesman would not confirm last night media reports that solicitors for the minister and Ms Leech were seeking compensation for damage to their reputations from RTÉ.

"Mr Cullen's legal advisors have written to RTÉ and the minister will be pursuing the matter in due course," his spokesman said.

Asked if Mr Cullen will be suing RTÉ for damages, his spokesman replied: "Mr Cullen is awaiting the response to his solicitors' letter before making any further comment on it."

Ms Leech could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press on claims that her solicitors were seeking compensation from RTÉ for the lewd suggestions made about her and the minister on the Joe Duffy Liveline programme.

An RTÉ spokeswoman would not comment on media claims yesterday that solicitors for both Mr Cullen and Ms Leech had in fact written to RTÉ seeking compensation.

The offending remarks were made by Cork-based Ronan Petit, who lives in Mayfield, but he could not be reached for comment yesterday.

If Mr Cullen and Ms Leech proceed with their action for damages against RTÉ legal experts were predicting yesterday that it could cost the State broadcaster a six-figure sum to settle each of the cases.

Meanwhile, the embattled Transport Minister is facing an investigation into his decision to award a €310,000 PR contract to Ms Leech's company immediately after he was appointed Environment Minister in 2002.

The contract, which was worth €1,200 a day, was not put out to tender as required for a contract of this size. When this was finally done, Ms Leech's company won the contract.

Following opposition pressure last month, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern asked former Revenue Commissioner head, Dermot Quigley, to investigate the awarding of the contract. This investigation is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The Taoiseach yesterday said he would have to wait and see what the report says before making any decision. "I do not want to say anything that would jeopardise it or influence the preparation of that report," Mr Ahern added.