Miriam O'Callaghan on Prime Time last night

[civic_critic]

I briefly caught primetime last night when miriam o'callaghan was hosting a chat between brian lenihan and 2 women about childcare. One of the women was not impressed with Lenihans blatherings and, after saying she felt like walking out, went on to express anger and indignation at the government's policy on childcare.

What shocked me was miriam o'callaghan's way of overruling this woman's anger and her manner of insisting that the woman express herself differently. Apparently o'callaghan believes that she has the right to tell people what tone they should express their views in.
Very unprofessional and beyond the pale in my opinion. I am aware that irish people are generally devoid of indignation precisely where they should be full of it, but to have seen a woman attempt to express it and be barked at for so doing was shocking.
Given this incident and o'callaghan's involvement in the recent haughey hagiography, does this show she is some sort of uber Fianna Fail mutt?

Any thoughts?

[thegeneral]

Given this incident and o'callaghan's involvement in the recent haughey hagiography, does this show she is some sort of uber Fianna Fail mutt?

Any thoughts?

Well clearly the very fact that a relative of hers ran for Fianna Fáil in the last local elections should have resulted in her being sacked. In the state broadcaster the prospect of even one member of staff with Fianna Fáil connections should be a cause of alarm and result in a root and branch purge of the offenders from the organisation. The woman actually helped produce a 4 part documentary on the life and career of a former Taoiseach, for shame, this was clearly a Fianna Fáil led plot to brainwash the electorate through the national broadcaster. Its shocking that such a programme was allowed to air instead RTE should devote four part series to ex politicians with God complexes who think that they were lost leaders and who should be allowed to wax lyrically on their alleged greatness, such as Des O'Malley. Don't just sack the woman, hang her :twisted:

Cue BarryW, TheChief and a merry band of other Blueshirts for a gorge fest attacking O'Callaghan, Fianna Fáil or both.

[PinkoLeftie]

I thought Miriam was fine. The other woman, Caitríona Lynch, was at first, ranting without engaging in a proper debate, I felt.

At one stage this Ms Lynch said that 'stay at home mothers' were not represented on the programme. But Miriam pointed out that Ms Lynch herself had been invited on the programme precisely for the purpose of representing 'stay at home mothers'!

[cain1798]

Given this incident and o'callaghan's involvement in the recent haughey hagiography, does this show she is some sort of uber Fianna Fail mutt?

Any thoughts?

I didn't see the piece but if it took place as you outlined it could be as likely the protective air journalists adopt to establishment politicians on TV and radio interviews.

[seamusc]

Given that RTE has generally followed a Labour Party/Democratic Left/New Agenda/Workers Party agenda, accusations that Miriam O'C was biased is a bit unfair.

I thought she was very balanced. The other woman was more interested in getting into a fit than debating the issues.

[civic_critic]

Sorry Pinko, I disagree. This is an adult world, not a creche - the woman had every right to express herself just as she did about such an important matter. There is far too much mealy-mouthness in this country, or should I say there was - those days are now gone with the end of emigration. The establishment is in for a very rough ride from here on in.

[PinkoLeftie]

This is an adult world, not a creche

Absolutly, and shouting at people won't get you anywhere. It will just annoy people.

All of the panellists agreed with the central point she was making.. once she got down off her high horse and made that point in a reasonable manner.

[PinkoLeftie]

There is far too much mealy-mouthness in this country, or should I say there was - those days are now gone with the end of emigration. The establishment is in for a very rough ride from here on in.

People, in this day and age, should be able speak with confidence and professionalism. This woman was shouting and ranting.

[civic_critic]

I still don't agree. Childlike quiescence and the tone of an altar boy are not options in the face of Fianna Fail - nor should anyone who calls themselves a journalist demand it. It's a free country, the woman can express herself as she likes.

[PS]

I think Miriam was thinking of time given how short the segments are. The woman was ranting for too long before she finally got down to what she wanted to say.