Former transport minister Shane Ross has accused State broadcaster RTÉ of being frightened of offending Sinn Féin.

He was speaking after Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for "greater transparency and explanation" from RTÉ over a decision not to broadcast an interview with Mr Ross about his book on Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Mr Ross told Newstalk Breakfast the broadcaster got itself 'in a knot' over it.

"They said they wanted to give Sinn Féin a right of reply - once the interview had been done and recorded they wanted to give them a right of reply - and then access to sections of the book which was referred to.

"That is most unusual; now RTÉ came out last night and said 'we never gave them the transcript of the interview at all' and Sinn Féin came out and said they never asked for it.

"No they didn't, because RTÉ pulled the interview before that; but they had set the process in train for giving them the transcripts of the interview, or certainly for giving them those bits of the interview which was relevant to them, [which] is quite unprecedented."

'Editorial guidelines'

He said the broadcaster pulled the interview after having it looked at legally but "because it didn't match their editorial guidelines, which had never been mentioned before."

Mr Ross said the broadcaster also refused to send him a transcript of the interview.

"I think it was just too much for them, I think they got themselves in a total and utter knot. They decided they were frightened of offending Sinn Féin, there's no doubt."

He also said he believes the broadcaster 'interfered' with the interview.

"The interview was certainly interfered with and things were excluded, which weren't excluded in any other interview.

"Why is RTÉ the only one that first of all needs a week to listen to it, and then has to put down strict conditions - it's got a special fear there, I presume, of Sinn Féin," he added.

RTÉ statement

He said he believes RTÉ should appear before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions on this issue.

In a statement, RTÉ said: "In this instance, the decision not to broadcast was an editorial decision and was not influenced by any legal issues.

"RTÉ can also confirm that no one was given access to the recorded interview."

"Broadcasters have editorial independence to decide what they cover and broadcast. That is a principle the BAI acknowledge.

With many competing stories and items each day, it is not unusual for a pre-recorded interview not to be broadcast," it added.