Déjà vu as Ó Céidigh chats on ‘national treasure’ RTÉ

Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

RTÉ is a national treasure. So said Pádraig Ó Céidigh, the Galway senator, in a tweet in November 2015. It appears the feeling is mutual.

The An Spideál-based businessman reappeared on the national broadcaster, for what might politely be described as a ‘soft focus’ interview.

He’d already had the full Miriam O’Callaghan ‘lovey-dovey’ treatment, during her Sunday morning guest-appreciation programme, Miriam Meets, a while back. And last week it was Marian Finucane’s turn.

Ó Céidigh got top billing on the doyenne of Donnybrook’s Saturday radio show where he had the prime-time slot to shoot the breeze.

The tone for the love-in was set when Marian teed-up her guest as someone who may “soon be regarded as a saint”.

Ostensibly, the Independent senator was brought on to discuss the water charges controversy, because he chaired the Oireachtas committee on this issue.

Fair enough, although a hard-news programme such as Morning Ireland or Today with Seán O’Rourke might have been more appropriate given the seriousness of the topic. No matter.

We heard about his experience chairing the committee – apparently, he was disappointed some politicians leaked information and showboated – and Marian moved on.

Pádraig regaled listeners of his businesses and business-failures. And his near-death experience of having a stroke on a street in Galway city and being saved by the then Galway football manager Alan Mulholland. And how it was his son in America who learned first on Twitter that he was An Taoiseach’s nominee to Seanad Éireann. And how he hasn’t ruled out running for the President of Ireland but isn’t keen on running for the Dáil.

All very interesting stuff, you’ll agree. Except there’s nothing new in it. We’ve heard it all before from him . . . on RTÉ . . . and in other print and broadcast media.

Three times during the conversation, Pádraig complimented Marian on the quality of question she asked. “How is your health?” was one of them. Like, seriously.

Leaving aside the fact that it’s hardly probing, wouldn’t you expect that a presenter on a pay packet of €295,000 in 2014, and with a team of researchers and whatever else, might be able to come up with a “good question”, as he put it?

Pádraig Ó Céidigh should expect nothing less, given he’s a board member of RTÉ, an aside, incidentally, that was not mentioned during the 35-minutes broadcast.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.