Yet another beginner's question.

I regularly watch RTE's news on http://www.rte.ie/news/nuacht.html and the one thing that blares through even to my non-native ears is the "News-speak" rhythm and cadence of the reporters' diction.

Is this something I should take into account when listening in order to perfect my pronunciation, or can I safely emulate it?

You will make an ass of yourself if you walk into a pub in, say, Gaoth Dobhair and order a pint with the diction of an RTÉ news reporter - in Irish or in English! ;-)