Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a coincidence that today the Dáil will debate a Fianna Fáil Bill on online advertising and social media transparency when at the same time the public is being bombarded by paid advertisements from Government on matters such as the Luas line, regional enterprise development fund and so on, which many would characterise as little more than publicly paid propaganda for the Government.

I have no difficulty with the advertising by a Department of a new scheme that is coming on stream, not necessarily involving Ministers, but that has always been the way. I thank the Taoiseach for informing us that Behaviour & Attitudes have won the contract for market research. What was the cost of the tender finally? He said the results will be published.

Deputy Adams referred to the naming of the national children's hospital, which I raised last week. I made a suggestion at the time to which the Minister for Health responded positively, which was to hold a national competition in our school system. Among those who will use it into the future are the children of Ireland. I have since written to the Minister for Health to ask him to consider that. It would be a useful and real way to set out what the children's hospital is about and to involve the children of Ireland in that process.

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