At last week’s House Debate, committee members of the Literary and Historical Society (L&H) admitted that their corporate sponsor, Arthur Cox, had reached out to the society to request the removal of their logo from their posters and social media. The controversy was spawned by Arthur Cox’s sponsorship of the L&H, while the international law firm also represents RTÉ.
The debate titled ‘This House Does Not Trust RTÉ’ featured esteemed speakers such as former Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Teachta Dála Shane Ross, and Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland, as well as the author of this article!
Ireland’s national broadcaster, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, has come under public criticism in recent months after it emerged that there were discrepancies in the pay figures released by the broadcaster related to the earnings of their star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Arthur Cox represented and advised the company during a period in which their employees had various appearances in front of government committees relating to the controversy.
The society had placed debate posters around the college campus last Thursday morning and had posted social media posts advertising the debate but was contacted by a representative of Arthur Cox asking the society to remove their branding.
Committee members rushed around the campus with scissors to cut the Arthur Cox branding off the posters (see picture above). Arthur Cox branding has returned to L&H social media posts.
The College Tribune approached the Literary and Historical Society of UCD for comment regarding the removal of the Arthur Cox logo from their posters and social media posts.
L&H Auditor Ayman Memon said, “Arthur Cox has been a loyal supporter of the L&H for some years and as a part of such association on occasion, the L&H uses the Arthur Cox logo subject to prior approval in promotion of selected events. On this occasion prior approval was not sought and the logo was removed once the oversight came to light.”
The College Tribune has also approached Arthur Cox for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Hugh Dooley – Co-Editor
