TD hits out at Gaybo's road safety appointment
Broadcaster Gay Byrne should mind his own business and let politicians do their own job, the Dáil heard today.
Independent TD Paddy McHugh claimed Mr Byrne’s appointment as chairman of the new Road Safety Authority was part of the Government’s public relations circus on the issue.
The Galway East politician launched his astonishing attack on the Late Late Show anchor during a Dáil debate on the Road Traffic Bill (2006).
He claimed viewers had suffered at the hands of the veteran broadcaster for several years and the Transport Minister was foisting him on the public again.
He told the Dáil: “Our road safety is being managed on a PR basis, not on a practical basis.
“The PR philosophy is evident every year at Christmas time when we have TV and radio interviews with high ranking gardaí backed up by TV footage of Charlie Bird or some other Charlie getting excited by speaking over pictures of traffic on a dual carriageway somewhere near Dublin.
“This PR circus is further highlighted by the appointment of Gay Byrne as chairman of the Road Safety Authority.
“We had just got rid of Gay Byrne from the national airwaves after suffering the trauma experienced by being exposed to him for so many years, and now the Minister of Transport is foisting him on us again.
“Haven’t we been exposed to Gay Byrne too much over the years, without having to suffer him for longer?
“In any event it hasn’t worked because Gay Byrne is the news and the road safety message is consequently lost.
“As usual he cannot confine himself to his brief, he has to be sticking his nose into other people’s business, like giving a commentary on the Opposition in this House or as he calls us ’the other shower.’
“Minister, will you just tell Gay Byrne to mind his own business, do his own job and let us do ours.”
Mr McHugh said current legislation needed to be more stringently enforced by gardai, on rural roads as well as on dual carriageways and motorways.
“It’s time to ease up on the PR and get practical,” he added.
Mr Byrne was appointed as chairman of the RSA by Minister Martin Cullen in March.
On Monday, the broadcaster called on the Opposition to help speed the passage of the Road Traffic Bill through the Oireachtas before the Dail’s summer recess on July 6.
