RTÉ to apologise for controversial God sketch which "didn't meet its own standards"

RTÉ has said it will issue an apology for broadcasting a controversial sketch about God, and will remove the clip from the RTÉ Player.

The piece, which was broadcast during the national broadcaster's New Year's Eve special, attracted thousands of complaints and was described as blasphemous after it described God being "arrested" for "sexual harassment" offences.

In a statement today, RTÉ said its editorial standards board found that the sketch "did not comply with RTÉ's own standards, and broader regulations."

It concluded that the piece did not show due respect and sensitivity to people's religious beliefs.

As a result, RTÉ will now "make a voluntary disclosure of non-compliance to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and engage with the authority in this process"; will remove the sketch from the RTÉ Player; and will carry a public statement and apology "acknowledging this sketch did not meet the standards expected of the national broadcaster."

Dee Forbes, the Director General of RTÉ said: "We accept the findings of the Editorial Standards Board that this sketch was not compliant with our own guidelines or with our obligations under the relevant codes.

"On behalf of RTÉ, I fully apologise for that. We will now review the processes involved and engage constructively with the BAI."