The SDLP has lodged a formal complaint with RTÉ over its exclusion from the Claire Byrne Live United Ireland debate on Monday night. The party claims it contacted the programme on “multiple occasions” prior to the broadcast but was not given an opportunity to participate. Read MoreTaoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, former taoiseach John Bruton, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, DUP MP Gregory Campbell, rugby player Andrew Trimble, GAA pundit Joe Brolly, and loyalist activist Jamie Bryson were among those to take part. Mr O'Toole said the SDLP’s exclusion was a “worrying sign that RTÉ is ignoring key aspects of the most important debate in Irish politics at present”. “But a viewer new to this debate would have been left with the impression that there is a monolithic voice in relation to the northern pro-unity perspective.

Source: Irish Independent March 23, 2021 17:26 UTC