Bailey said the show presented "untrue and damaging comments".
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has rejected a complaint from former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey.
The complaint was in relation to comments made about her deselection as a Fine Gael candidate during the Today with Sean O'Rourke programme on RTÉ Radio 1, which was presented by Miriam O'Callaghan, on 15 November 2019.
Bailey said the discussion in the segment on the show presented "untrue and damaging comments" about her, stating that a panellist on the show had referred to defrauding insurance in relation to her while another mentioned exaggerated insurance claims.
She acknowledged that one member of the panel defended her during the show by saying she had not been found to make a fraudulent claim.
“The presenter interrupted the panellist to state that they did not say fraud, however, the complainant believes that the two panellists were clearly speaking about fraud,” a BAI report said.
She lodged a complaint with the BAI saying she did not consider the programme of 15 November was fair, objective and impartial. She said that inaccurate comments were presented as fact and not challenged by the presenter.
RTÉ said it did not accept that she was defamed by the broadcaster.
The broadcaster said that one panellist had represented Bailey's position and that the presenter had twice emphasised that she was not accused of fraud.
The BAI noted that although the presenter did not offer her own views, more clarity may have been provided regarding the panel’s comments on fraud.
However, when taken as a whole, it determined that the subject matter was treated fairly and presented in an objective manner.
