Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I will briefly respond. I listened with great interest to what the Minister said. He studiously avoided addressing the issue, which is about the amount of money spent by the Government and by his Department to get across his party's policies and his Government's policies in the lead in to a local election. This is not about an even playing pitch. It is not about the best democracy money can buy. It is about the best democracy the Government can buy, and the best democracy the Government can control. This is a serious issue. We need to debate it. There will come a time when the Minister will not be sitting on that side of the House, and this issue may strike him as being relevant.

One aspect struck me. A comment from my colleague, Deputy Terence Flanagan, brought it to mind and perhaps the Minister could provide the House with some assurances concerning the matter. I find it difficult not to laugh when I refer to it but, at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis, a unique political event, the well known reporter Mr. David Davin-Power appeared on the "Nine O'Clock News" with a group of individuals who have been described, rather unkindly, as zombies.

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