Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me to put my question again. He is very fair to let me in as I was not here earlier when I should have been. I apologise for that.

What is the role of the media? Is its role to make a fortune for someone or is it to report the news accurately? I know the realities of business mean that one has to make money at it if one wants to keep it going. At the level that some people are running the media, it is not about delivering the news but controlling it. I am glad the Minister said something will be done about it because it seriously threatens democracy.

Many times in the Chamber when I look up at the Press Gallery I ask myself who is really going to get the message out of here. When they listen to what we have to say, what sort of mangle does it go through before it is actually reported? In my opinion it goes through one particular mangle that constantly attacks anyone who is not of a right-wing view. This needs to be tackled because it is not on. In a democracy, everyone should have their say, should be reported equally and be treated fairly. That does not happen, however. Two large national radio stations are owned by the one person. That is not acceptable and something needs to be done about it immediately.

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