Standards in Public Office (TV programme)

Standards in Public Office is the title of an RTÉ programme broadcast on 7 December 2015. The programme featured three politicians, Hugh McElvaney (an independent former Mayor of Monaghan who had just left Fine Gael), Joe Queenan of Fianna Fáil and John O'Donnell (another independent), in compromising positions.[1][2] It was presented by Conor Ryan.[3]

Standards in Public Office
GenreUndercover journalism
Presented byConor Ryan
Country of originIreland
Release
Original networkRTÉ One
Original release7 December 2015
External links
Website

Queenan immediately resigned from Fianna Fáil.[3][4][5] McElvaney was asked to resign by his fellow public representatives,[6][7] as was O'Donnell.[8][9][10] All three were dismissed from their representative body, the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA), though John O'Donnell initially refused to leave and then had his membership revoked.[11]

The programme was mentioned in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Taoiseach Enda Kenny referred to the programme in the Dáil. Senator David Norris, while expressing distaste for the actions of those involved, also criticised RTÉ's approach to their investigation as entrapment.[12] McElvaney's gestures, movements and utterances of "sterling", "money" and "loads of money" during the programme were instantly remixed with Los del Río's 1990s song "Macarena".[13][14][15]

References
  1. Councillor Hugh McElvaney: I'm not a gombeen and I quoted £10k to make RTE sting 'sexy'
  2. VIDEO: Damning clip from RTE documentary shows Irish politicians soliciting cash from undercover reporter
  3. Harris: I don't think Councillors in RTÉ Investigates can continue in public life
  4. Sligo councillor resigns from Fianna Fáil after lobbying revelations
  5. Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Queenan resigns following RTE Investigates documentary: 'I knew I was being set up...I lured her into my trap' - Cllr Hugh McElvaney at centre of planning bid controversy wanted to expose RTE 'dirty tricks campaign' against him Irish independent
  6. Monaghan County Council asks Hugh McElvaney to quit
  7. Cllr Hugh McElvaney asked to resign
  8. Donegal County Council calls on John O'Donnell to step down: Independent councillor among politicians at the centre of RTÉ Investigates programme Irishtimes
  9. Councillors call for resignation of John O'Donnell
  10. Pressure grows on councillor John O'Donnell to resign Irishexaminer
  11. Three councillors leave representative body: Cllr John O'Donnell's membership was terminated after he refused to resign newstalk
  12. Taoiseach speaks out after RTÉ standards in public office programme
  13. Cllr Hugh McElvaney gets the Top of the Pops treatment Irish independent
  14. Under-fire councillor Hugh McElvaney's RTE appearance remixed - to the tune of the Macarena
  15. EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Hugh McElvaney reacts to a remix made of him following RTÉ Investigates programme sunday independent
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