Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

From long years of experience, I am unlikely to dip my toe into organising who should sit in the Press Gallery. Detailed matters such as that might be best avoided.

Undue concentration of media ownership in Ireland would be unacceptable. I hope the legislation, when published, will reflect that. The media has a powerful influence in reporting and analysing current affairs. It is important, as the Deputy said, that different points of view are fairly represented. One person's negative media coverage may be seen quite differently by somebody else. We live in a valley of negativity at the moment for reasons to do with the economic collapse of four years ago. There ought to be room, however, for different analyses and points of view. That diversity and plurality of view ought to be reflected in a healthy media and democracy.

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