RTÉ has claimed that a comment newsreader Sharon Ní Bheoláin made on the Six One News to co-host Ray Kennedy was "just a joke", the Irish Independent is reporting.

Ms Ní Bheoláin seemed unaware that her microphone was broadcasting live on-air when she turned to Mr Kennedy and stated: "Your job's okay... this time."

The music for the news then begins and the hosts start to deliver the news headlines.