Madam, - Therese Gaynor of One in Four complains (September 20th) that an interview with a convicted sex offender on the Late Late Show was not part of a broader discussion or debate.
For the past two weeks the Late Late Show has dealt with the issue of child sexual abuse. Over the course of the two programmes we heard from victims, experts in the area of child protection and treatment of abusers and, on the first broadcast, from a convicted offender.
In the tradition of the Late Late Show, on the first broadcast we raised questions on an issue of large public concern that challenged our audience to think anew on the subject. The function of the second broadcast was to hear from a wide spectrum of opinion, to reflect on the interview and debate the issues raised.
The recent broadcasts were by no means the first occasions we have dealt with this subject. The programme has in recent years repeatedly returned to the issue and has on all these occasions dealt with it in a comprehensive, balanced and sensitive fashion.
Should Ms Gaynor, or anyone else wish to acquaint themselves with the full Late Late Show treatment of the subject they can view both parts on our online archive at www.rte.ie/tv/latelate. - Yours, etc,
LARRY MASTERSON,
Executive Producer,
Late Late Show,
RTÉ,
Dublin 4.