Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Burton ranged far beyond some of the issues raised in the amendment. I agree with her point that the presentation of the expenses is often very unfair because a Deputy who lives a long way from the House is highlighted as the typical expense collector, and while the general Deputy expenses are published, the ministerial ones are not. As the Deputy spoke I was reminded of a former Member of this House, Seán MacBride, who once presided over a commission whose purpose was to ensure that there would be fair and balanced information about Third World countries in First World newspapers. We do not control how the press acquires or disseminates information but that is an issue and it is important that all expenses are accounted for.

While Deputy Morgan is happy that we are going some in addressing matters he seems to want us to go a bit further but I am not clear how.

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