Senator Ronan Mullen and with his fellow candidates Ben Gilroy, of Direct Democracy Ireland; Thomas Byrne, of Fianna Fáil; Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Independent; Mark Dearey, of the Green Party and TJ Fay and Mark Fitzsmons, both Independents, on RTE Prime Time’s debate of Midlands-North-West MEP candidates last night

You may have caught Senator Ronan Mullen on Prime Time’s second panel debate of the Midlands-North-West MEP candidates last night.

During Senator Mullen’s appearance, he took host Miriam O’Callaghan to task, accusing RTE of bias, censorship and of being too cosy with Government parties – an outburst that earned vocal approval and agreement from Mr Flanagan.

Senator Mullen’s claims came on foot of Senator Mullen and Mr Flanagan’s annoyance over their exclusion from the first panel debate.

This morning, the RTE Player had the debates from last night posted but it stopped short in the second panel’s debate, just before Ms O’Callaghan turns to speak to Mr Mullen and when Mr Flanagan is in mid-sentence – therefore those looking back this morning cannot see Senator Mullen’s outburst.

In total, of the 44-minute video posted, 37.15 minutes consisted of the first panel’s debate, with the remaining seven or so minutes consisting of the second panel’s debate – with the seven or so minutes consisting only of contributions from Thomas Byrne, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Mark Deary.

The two debates in total were actually approximately an hour and 15 minutes.

Now, in the last few minutes, it appears the Prime Time debate has been removed from the RTE Player entirely.

Prior to the the second panel’s debate, an earlier panel consisted of Senator Lorraine Higgins, from Labour; Cllr Matt Carthy, of Sinn Féin; Mairead McGuinness, Fine Gael MEP; Jim Higgins, Fine Gael MEP; Marian Harkin, Independent MEP; and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Fianna Fail MEP.

The first panel consisted of sitting MEPs and those candidates whose parties, or Independents, who won 10% support or more at the last election – a set-up which prompted complaints from both Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Senator Mullen.

Anyone?

RTE Player (Prime Time)

UPDATE: RTE has since posted the two debates in their entirety.

UPDATE: RTE Player no longer has the debates on its website.

UPDATE:

Update: