RTÉ: Saints, Scholars, and Scandals is the timely latest book by former TD, minister and journalist Shane Ross, who brings his dual experience of media and politics to bear on his subject.

On today’s Inside Politics podcast he talks to Hugh Linehan about the deep roots of RTÉ’s structural problems, Fianna Fáil’s dominance of RTÉ throughout its history (exemplified by Gay Byrne’s cozy relationship with Charles Haughey) and the damaging recent scandals over payments and governance.

He tells Hugh the frustration politicians feel over negative coverage is the reason cash-strapped RTÉ has not enjoyed a licence fee increase since 2008.

Ross also talks about how illness (he is recovering from throat cancer) derailed the book for a few years.