- Sean Galalgher.
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ is facing demands for an inquiry following a row over a televised presidential election debate last year.
Sean Gallagher, the businessman and TV personality who was unsuccessful in his bid to become Irish president, has demanded the inquiry, and has been backed by prominent politicians, including Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams.
It is alleged that an RTÉ staff member encouraged an audience member to ask a "hostile" question of Gallagher before the live "Frontline" debate last November.
The broadcaster has denied the claim, and this week insisted the question put to Mr. Gallagher during the show was based on conversations he had with the show's producers.
However, Mr. Gallagher, who has previously featured as an investor on the Irish version of the hit business show "Dragons' Den" has written to the government's communications minister Pat Rabbitte, calling for an investigation into the claims of impartiality.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has already found that Mr. Gallagher was treated unfairly due to a twitter comment read out on Frontline by presenter Pat Kenny.
The body upheld the complaint that the tweet was from an unofficial account claiming to represent the Martin McGuinness presidential campaign and was read out without its source being checked.
RTÉ have since launched an internal review of live broadcasting, following the tweet row.
Meanwhile, Louth TD Mr. Adams threw his weight behind the inquiry calls, and cited his own party's experiences on the airwaves over the years as evidence changes should be made.
"Well, I certainly support transparency, particularly of a public broadcast provider," he said.
"There are lots of issues about public broadcasting which Sinn Féin would take issue with, going back over a long time, in terms of balance." So, yes, I think a public inquiry and more transparency, because the taxpayers are paying for this service, is required."
