A GOVERNMENT minister publicly stated she is "very disappointed and annoyed" that RTÉ has decided not to renew the contract of one fo its most senior correspondents Martina Fitzgerald.
Mary Mitchell O'Connor, a Fine Gael politician, said Ms Fitzgerald, who has been the political correspondent for the national broadcaster channel for the past five years, was "one of the most high-profile women in media" and had been "taken out".
She described her as a "professional to her fingertips".
It was reported at the weekend that Ms Fitzgerald's contract with RTÉ had not been renewed, leaving her "devastated".
Senior RTÉ figures told the Sunday Independent that the journalist would be taking the next few days to evaluate the station's decision not to extend her contract after it came up for renewal this year.
The newspaper said it was understood Ms Fitzgerald has spoken to solicitors and "is shocked and devastated by the decision".
An RTE spokesman said they would not be responding to Ms Mitchell O'Connor's comments.
