Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree. The role of the unit is to monitor coverage of official Government activity and how it is portrayed in the media. It is right that this is done and that the range of programmes being monitored at present is monitored to ensure Ministers are aware of how policy is being presented. If it is accurate that is fine but if it is not we must deal with it. This is its role.

Press offices in many Departments have their own arrangements with regard to how they monitor the media and it is a matter for them. I want to see whether a more effective way exists than how it is done at present. The view of Opposition Deputies is that we should not have it at all.

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