Not sure if I am was aware of him till now although I leaned he is married to Flor Mccarthy.
Congrats Paul. Great day for the forum 
Does he post here ?
This story could get legs
The indo journalists are sad to have lost their friend it seems
I thought yer wan was useless because she adopted a David Davin-Power type approach in parroting whatever line the main parties fed her. A real “sources close to the government are hopeful that this controversy will blow over” merchant in being used to set/control the narrative and rarely pursuing things with independence and vigour (or should that be rigour?). That said, it’s harsh enough to effectively be demoted.
Is she the one that just released a book?
it’s like a double demotion because she’s a woman.
Something very strange going on here. The Indo continuing to bat for this ousted lady. If a woman had replaced her I doubt there’d be half as much of a fuss. Honestly can’t remember one noteworthy story or interview this lady has covered - she’s no Ursula Halligan.
Martina Fitzgerald has been left “devastated” by RTE’s decision not to renew her contract as a political correspondent, according to senior Montrose sources.
Senior RTE figures say Ms Fitzgerald will take the next few days to evaluate the station’s decision not to extend her contract after it came up for renewal this year.
It is also understood that she has spoken to solicitors and is considering the various legal options available to her. “Martina is shocked and devastated by the decision,” one source said.
“She is planning to take a few days to herself and consider her options. She is taking legal advice on the various avenues open to her.”
The source added that Ms Fitzgerald had been a “huge success” over the last five years, with her work bringing “RTE’s political coverage to a new level”.
Cabinet minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor took the unprecedented decision to speak out against RTE’s decision to replace Ms Fitzgerald.
In a message posted on Twitter, Ms Mitchell O’Connor said she was “very disappointed and annoyed” over RTE’s decision.
The minister said “one of the most high-profile women in media” had been “taken out”. She described Ms Fitzgerald as a “professional to her fingertips”.
An RTE spokesperson said the station would not be responding to Ms Mitchell O’Connor’s comments.
Ms Fitzgerald has been the face of RTE’s political coverage on the Six One News for the last five years.
She has spent recent weeks promoting her bestselling book Madam Politician, which charts the plight of women who ran for election in Ireland. She has also been an outspoken advocate for gender pay equality.
Under a deal agreed by RTE unions, correspondent positions are reviewed every five years.
Ms Fitzgerald recently reapplied for the job. Senior RTE political staff member Paul Cunningham also applied for the role which was advertised internally through an open competition.
RTE released a statement last Friday announcing Mr Cunningham’s appointment as political correspondent. The statement did not mention Ms Fitzgerald.
Mr Cunningham is a highly regarded and award-winning journalist who has worked at RTE for 25 years. He previously held the positions of environment and Europe correspondent.
Ms Fitzgerald was one of the leading voices in RTE during last year’s controversy surrounding claims of a gender pay gap among staff at the station. “If prominent women in the industry I work in can trigger a wider public and long overdue debate - and effect change - then by our actions other women may also benefit. This is irrespective of what industry they are employed in,” she wrote.
Ms Fitzgerald did not respond to requests for comment.
A woman gets beaten to a job by a man and it suddenly merits a minister getting involved? And one that knows fuck all about the hiring process or the qualifications or interview performance of either candidate? This is getting ridiculous
Did something similar happen with Brian Carthy and Muckey Harte?
Agreed 100 %
Maybe in hindsight this Martina lady should have concentrated a little bit more on doing her job instead of campaigning for and writing silly books to cash in on the gender nonsense that is all the craze right now.
The lady is a total lightweight. Seeing her on the news never convinced me otherwise, I don’t kno w why but when I’d see her 'arts & craft’s ’ would come into my head.
A total lightweight who was out of contract, and RTE have a duty with our money.
Id have total confidence in Paul Cunningham.
I cant remember. Did a minister get involved in that?
Yes and he was wrong .
Fine Gael seem to think they can pick their journalists now as well so.
Didn’t hear Mary Mitchell O’Connor chipping in when the likes of Padraig Lodge, Darragh Maloney, Joe Stack, Eamon from the Midlands and co were overlooked for The Sunday Game gig.