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GEORGE LEE HAS been appointed Agriculture and Environment Correspondent for RTÉ, it was announced today.
The former Fine Gael TD has been working as a correspondent for Prime Time since October 2012 as part of a shake-up in the broadcaster’s current affairs programming and as presenter of ‘TheBusiness’ on RTÉ Radio 1.
He dismissed reports last year that he was in the running for the post of Washington Correspondent. At the time he said: “I don’t have any plans at the moment other than to carry on as I’m going. I’m very busy doing Prime Time and the radio. It is not for me”.
This evening RTÉ confirmed the appointment:
Commenting today, Lee said both his parents are “from farming backgrounds” and that he has a “particular and natural affinity with the sector”.
“I have no doubt that the hard work, the professionalism, and the personal stories of those in our farming community can serve to inspire us all and I am very much looking forward to reporting on that,” he said.
We’re certainly looking forward to seeing the former TD getting down and dirty at the Ploughing Championships in his wellies.
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RTE the golden parachute for all the well connected and their relatives.
Sounds like a demotion from his current RTÉ gig to me…
Agriculture and Environment. A and E
rte has no imagination
He couldn’t remember if he still had a job in R.T.E. when running for Fine Gael………
Son who fails in life returns home to farm…
He’s usually full of bull anyway so it’s a good match.
sweet Jesus
Words fail me but sweet Jesus is good
I thought ha had a back round in Finance… Well Anything Goes turned the book reading Ryan Turbidy into an international superstar… Oh I forgot to mention his Granda was the head of RTE at the time
*back ground
A former Fine Gael TD giving us the agriculture reports…….surely an independence or bias issue here when reporting on political matters
agree Conor. – Can RTE do this?
Surely there are political bias issues.
Very unethical & unprofessional conduct, once again, from RTE
Waste of talent. He could’ve served the people better as an outspoken independent economist, instead he jumps on the gravy train.
An honest man not prepared to sit on his arse in the Dail and collect a big fat pension.
Dishonest man. Chancing his arm in politics and then returning to a permanent pensionable job. Not prepared to put his money where his mouth is.
Pity. He was an outstanding economics correspondent. Just about the only economics commentator, outside of academia, who called it right after that insane 2007 budget.
Agreed Ben. Good luck George in your new role and sod the begrudgers
Fine Gael lost real talent!
Sad!
Don’t get your hopes up George, they probably won’t keep you on after the Jobsbridge ends .
And I thought I was having a Sh1t day.
Chin up George , story could be worse.
You could still be in Fine Gael…
now he’s in A and E
Gombeen to hasbeen
No not George. The gombe end are those in the dail
Makes sense considering they hired Ryan Tubridy as a chat show host.
Not impressed! Does he hav an agricultural background or qualification? Parents from rural Ireland doesn’t count!
Agriculture and Environment Correspondent – anyone know his qualifications in Environment area?
It was George or Brendan O’Connor – they tossed for it
Fall from grace.
He was never up there in the first place to have a fall.
His radio show on Saturday mornings can be quite interesting
Filling his boots?
Both my parents are from the 1940′s, I wasn’t to be the History correspondent! Ah go on RTE!
A gift to any portfolio in the world of journalism. Best wishes, George. Ignore the pismires who avail of pseudonyms to spew their ignorant bile.
Agreed Patrick,George has principals he did not wait like the rest to get his fat pension,agriculture is our biggest export and hopefully George will add to it. F!!k the begrudges
At least now we know George’s pseudonym for commenting on the journal.
U would feel sorry for some of the younger reports who have put in a lot of work in the last few years and who would have probably expected a step up the ladder. Those who worked hard for RTE when George Lee went into politics.
Both his parents come from farms?
He’ll be telling us next that he has been eating farm produce as part of his diet for decades,and all his milk and steaks come from farm-dwelling cows.
Not far off Sarah Palin can see Russia from Alaska.
Commenting today, Lee said both his parents are “from farming backgrounds” and that he has a “particular and natural affinity with the sector”.
– But does he actually know anyting about Ag industry . Many have parents that are from farms – and like the countryside ??.
Is RTE becoming a lucrative Rest Home for FG people ??
Back in the game!!!
As Agri correspondent? More like on the subs bench.
He talked the boom into a burst, will he do the same with agriculture?
At least we will get to know how many peas are in a pod,Hic!
He has agriculture now but he won’t be satisfied, Guaranteed .
Can smell the horse shite already.
Well Done George.
May he rest in peace.
George Lee should gave been the Country’s Finance Minister!
sound like RTE are “souring the milk” for George. He’s a great economist that upset FF before the crash and upset FG after the by-election.
The last person want in charge of agricultural reporting is a farmer. So much for impartiality in journalism!
Now we will be listening to some bulls*it
We need him for his business analysis. Agriculture and Environment is too wide a brief for one person. Will Environment get lost?
On a personal note, that’s my Saturday treat gone. Am cross !
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