The Broadcasting Complaints Commission has rejected a complaint by a viewer about the Taoiseach's partner, Ms Celia Larkin, appearing on RTÉ television.
Ms Larkin, an image consultant, was a guest on Open House in October 2001, explaining how clothes in the wardrobe should be arranged for different functions.
According to the commission, Mr Brendan Galvin rang the producer of the show. He complained Ms Larkin was "hijacking it for her own ends and to enhance Mr Ahern's standing in the eyes of viewers."
The commission adds that Mr Galvin further stated "that Ms Larkin, the mistress of Bertie Ahern, is perceived by the public as a 'de facto wife' of the Taoiseach, and, consequently by her presence on Open House she was articulating Government policy and RTÉ were using her to help them obtain a favourable response from government to their application to Minister de Valera for permission to raise the TV licence by an extra £50."
In its response, according to the commission, RTÉ said Ms Larkin was invited by the production team of Open House to present a makeover item and advise on clothing. "The invitation was made in her professional capacity and her relationship with the Taoiseach is entirely irrelevant. They state her appearance on Open House has absolutely nothing to do with Section 18 of the Broadcasting Act.
"RTÉ rejects the claims that members of staff who responded to Mr Galvin's complaints had in any way behaved in a less than proper manner."
The commission adds: "RTÉ state that as the Open House programme is neither news nor current affairs, and as an item on make-up could not be construed as a matter of current public debate, this complaint ... falls outside the guidelines for complaints."
