The Week in Politics

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This article is about The Week in Politics. For the CNN programme, see This Week in Politics.
The Week in Politics
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The Week in Politics
Genre News and Current Affairs
Presented by Sean O'Rourke
Country of origin Ireland
Original language(s) English
Production
Production location(s) Studio 3, RTÉ Television Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time 60 mins
Production company(s) RTÉ
Release
Original network RTÉ One
RTÉ News Now
Picture format PAL (16:9)
Audio format Stereo
Original release 1996 –
present
Chronology
Related shows Prime Time
Leader's Questions
European Parliament Report
External links
Website

The Week in Politics is an Irish news and current affairs programme broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ News Now. It is presented by Sean O'Rourke, occasionally by David McCullagh or Bryan Dobson.[1][2] In its original format in 1996 it was hosted by Geraldine Harney and Seán Duignan.[3]

The programme reflects on the political week, with interviews and discussions. The majority of guests are politicians who are Teachta Dálaí or Irish Senators. The programme is broadcast live at noon on Sunday and is repeated throughout the day on RTÉ News Now and its traditional late night slot on RTÉ One. The programme moved from its late night slot to midday in January 2013.[4]

The programme also has reports from RTÉ News and Current Affairs reporters.

History of notable moments

Child abuse compensation

Pat Carey, the Irish Government's Chief Whip, used the show to call for changes to the compensation scheme for victims of child abuse following the revelations contained within the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.[5][6]

Seanad controversy

Fine Gael by-election candidate, George Lee caused controversy in May 2009 when he called for the abolition of Seanad Éireann on The Week in Politics after hearing that the senators only sat for forty days and cancelled one session to pursue a round of golf.[7] Lee is a former employee of RTÉ, having served as their chief economics editor for years before announcing his decision to seek election.[7] The Irish Independent suggested Lee displayed "a lack of basic political knowledge" as Dáil Éireann sits for just one extra day.[7] Lee called the controversial golf session "an absolute outrage" on the show and, when prompted further on his views, said: "I really couldn't be bothered if they [the senators] were shut down, it's a disgrace".[7] Members of his own party were said to be "furious" at Lee's remarks, with one unnamed senator saying it was an "attack... born out of ignorance... does he want to close down the Dáil, too?".[7] Maurice Cummins described the Seanad as the "whipping boy" of Irish politics and Frances Fitzgerald asked Lee to read over the party's policy on the matter.[7]

Hanafin by-election comments

In February 2010, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin used the programme to indicate the by-election in Dublin South and the by-election in Donegal South-West to replace outgoing George Lee and Pat the Cope Gallagher would take place alongside the election for Mayor of Dublin and a referendum.[8]

Bertie Ahern's kitchen cupboardgate

When former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hid in a kitchen cupboard for a television advertisement in 2010, opposition parties used the show to describe the skit as "terrible" for the country.[9][10]

Pat Rabbitte's admission

In 2012, host Sean O'Rourke discussed broken promises with Labour Party Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte. During the discussion, with the minister being asked if he had broken any campaign promises, Rabbitte said, "Isn't that what you tend to do during an election?"[11]

References

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