RTÉ has set up a full editorial review to examine the production of live audience-based programmes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Frontline presidential debate programme.

In a statement this evening, RTÉ said it had also begun a "personnel investigation" in connection with the broadcast of a bogus tweet during the debate.

The broadcaster said it has invited former Head of News and Content at UTV Rob Morrison to assist in reviewing the issues in relation to the programme.

Earlier. Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has said no evidence has been submitted to him that might provide the basis for a further inquiry into the treatment of Seán Gallagher as a candidate on Frontline's presidential debate.

Mr Rabbitte said he received a letter from Mr Gallagher this afternoon and that he would reply immediately.

Asked would he meet Mr Gallagher, Mr Rabbitte said he would have to see the basis on which such a meeting was necessary.

This morning, Fianna Fáil called for an independent inquiry into the incident.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming said an inquiry should be held into how the controversial tweet got on air.

"At this stage we are more confused about what happened than we were last Wednesday when [the BAI] report was issued," Mr Fleming said.

Mr Gallagher said yesterday that RTÉ cannot disregard the calls for a full and proper public inquiry relating to the production and airing of the debate.

RTÉ has said it fully accepted the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's findings in relation to the programme.

Elsewhere, Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton said there is continuing unease about the debate.



Ms Creighton said it worries her a lot that an unsubstantiated tweet could be read on air and that there is scope for an Oireachtas inquiry or some further investigation.



But she said it is a matter for the Cabinet and she believes there will be further discussion in Government.

RTÉ has a 'liberal bias' - Leo Varadkar

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has accused RTÉ of having what he called a ''liberal bias'', which he said has been there for some time and has not been corrected.

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr Varadkar called for an external analysis of how RTÉ operates, including how much time it gives to different parties, when covering issues.

He also said initially RTÉ needed to examine itself to see whether it was fulfilling its public service remit in its broadcasting, which is to provide information, news and entertainment for the public and not one that is promoting a particular agenda.

He said the same standard that applies to a newspaper's letter page should be applied to texts and tweets.

He said it would be unusual to publish an anonymous letter in a newspaper, or a letter that has not been verified yet. He claimed that anonymous texts and tweets were being read out on air all the time, and nobody was asking where they came from, or what the agenda was of the person behind them, or if they were true.

In relation to Minister Varadkar's comments, Mr Rabbitte said he is not sure what "might sound liberal and left-wing to Leo".

