Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Everyone in this House agrees that public service broadcasting is a central part of a democratic society and RTE has served Ireland well over the 50 years since its foundation. However, a conclusion of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland last week has raised serious questions on the performance of our public service broadcaster with regard to the conduct of the presidential election. Unfortunately, this conclusion comes very soon after the recent court ruling on the "Prime Time" programme on Fr. Reynolds, which also raised questions about standards. We await the outcome of the investigation into that issue. The concerns and doubts that have been raised need to be addressed so that people can be assured of the highest standards.

In that regard, will the Taoiseach comment on the role of the public service broadcaster in upholding the highest standards, notwithstanding a more competitive broadcasting environment? Others have sought to broaden this debate. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar, has said that RTE has a bias towards centre left parties and liberal views and has said there should be a review of the organisation. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, seemed a bit confused, perhaps understandably, about what might sound liberal and left wing to the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, but he claimed that those who object to what happened are trying to create an Irish Fox News, which is a somewhat bizarre assertion also.

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