Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Who the bloody hell does he think he is to be telling the Irish people what to do? He is quite entitled to sell his newspapers here and I confess I read The Sunday Times. I feel I should seek absolution for so doing when I see some of the anti-Union content at times. I do not read The Sun, the News of the World or The People but am aware of the line they take. Mr. Murdoch exercises overall editorial control and this was exposed by the suppression of an article by Ms Sarah Carey, who had the temerity, when working with The Sunday Times, to voice a view that was vaguely in favour of the Lisbon treaty. Her article was spiked and could not be published. The Sunday Times is a supposedly independent newspaper that allows people freedom to express their views. There was no freedom afforded to Ms Carey because Mr. Murdoch is pandering to Eurosceptic populism in Britain and exporting it here. He expects the poor Irish voters to take it holus-bolus. He is entitled to his view but is not entitled to lecture the Irish on what is in their best interest.

During the last debate on this matter, I mentioned the monthly Catholic newspaper Alive. I had occasion to refer to some of the rubbish printed in it. It stated passing the treaty will lead to abortion, euthanasia and the loss of freedom to promote the Catholic faith. This is utterly untrue and it is vital that the truth prevail, particularly in a Catholic newspaper. I ask the publishers of such newspapers to be more truthful and honest in their presentation.

If we are to recover from the recession, it is essential that we pass the treaty. If we want foreign direct investment and to continue exporting to the European Union - I hope the rate of export can be increased with the restoration of competitiveness - we must pass the treaty. If we want to survive and prosper, we need to be fully committed to the Union. Therefore, we must ensure we pass the treaty and send out a signal loud and clear that we are committed Europeans who deserve even further support from the Union.

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