Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin accuses RTÉ of excluding north in competition supposedly for people 'anywhere in the country'

Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghail said there was particular `irony' RTÉ is `offering a prize to viewers `anywhere in the country'. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghail said there was particular `irony' RTÉ is `offering a prize to viewers `anywhere in the country'. Picture by Seamus Loughran Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghail said there was particular `irony' RTÉ is `offering a prize to viewers `anywhere in the country'. Picture by Seamus Loughran

RTÉ has again been criticised for running a competition which excluded northern viewers from entering.

Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile said there was particular irony this time as it is "offering a prize to viewers 'anywhere in the country'".

"The competition on RTÉs 'Up for the Match' offers all-Ireland final tickets and a chauffeur driven car to the game from 'anywhere in the country'," he said.

"Due to the the unnecessary decision to exclude viewers in the six counties from entering RTÉ competitions, this automatically rules out citizens in the northern part of the country from ever winning.

"RTÉ have a duty to reflect audiences right across Ireland, but time and time again they have proven themselves to be out of step with the north.

"This could be easily fixed. But it's becoming increasingly apparent that RTÉ are unwilling to make even modest attempts to resolve a matter which has caused great upset and anger for many people.

"The broadcaster often cites legislation in the north as its rationale - but the question remains, why was this not a problem for them in the past given that the block on northern audiences only came into effect recently?"

He said he will "be again writing" to the broadcaster to urge them to change their policy which "runs contrary to their own charter of ethics".