| The Week in Politics | |
|---|---|
The Week in Politics |
|
| Genre | News and Current Affairs |
| Presented by | Sean O'Rourke |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Studio 3, RTÉ Television Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 45 mins |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | RTÉ One |
| Picture format | PAL (16:9) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original run | 5 March 2006 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Prime Time |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The Week in Politics is an Irish news and current affairs programme broadcast on RTÉ One It is presented by Sean O'Rourke, occasionally by David McCullagh or Bryan Dobson.[1][2]
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 pre-recorded and aired at approximately 22:20 every Sunday.
The programme also has reports from RTÉ News and Current Affairs reporters.
Despite being broadcast on Sunday nights, O'Rourke begins work on the show in the middle of the week, with breakfast or coffee taking place in the RTÉ canteen.[3]
Contents |
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.[4][5]
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.[6] Lee is a former employee of RTÉ, having served as their chief economics editor for years before announcing his decision to seek election.[6] The Irish Independent suggested Lee displayed "a lack of basic political knowledge" as Dáil Éireann sits for just one extra day.[6] 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".[6] 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?".[6] 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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8][9]