The country’s most controversial civil servant personally intervened to end his department’s sponsorship of the hit RTE show Operation Transformation.
The Department of Health had been paying around €283,000 per year to sponsor the programme through its Healthy Ireland initiative – but that arrangement was brought to an abrupt end last year.
Internal records reveal how Secretary General Robert Watt had “severe reservations” about sponsoring the programme in 2022.
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Mr Watt signed off on the deal with a “heavy heart” but said it should not continue beyond that, according to records released under FOI.
An email from October last year said: “The Secretary General had severe reservations about sponsoring it in 2022, but approved it after some engagement from your predecessor.”
Mr Watt’s involvement in the sponsorship deal began in late 2021 when he sought additional information from colleagues on the rationale for it.
Mr Watt signed off on it saying: “Approved – with a heavy heart!!
“But we need to review next year.”
An email later sent by the Secretary General from December 2021 reiterated his point: “This is the last year!”
His colleague, a principal officer in the department, responded: “I am more than happy for a full review and consideration next year to evaluate appropriateness of any future involvement and long before any discussion with program producers.”
Internal records also detail how the department sought to rebut suggestions the deal had ended due to a “backlash from eating disorder groups”.
The programme has attracted some controversy with some saying it can be “triggering” for those who have suffered with eating disorders.
But the Department of Health said: “This is not correct. The many positive elements of the show continue.”
Asked why Mr Watt was opposed to extending the sponsorship deal, the Department of Health said they had no comment to make.
