Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

She abused it. We need to adhere to those traditions because if people are not here to defend themselves or respond, it has to be taken into context.

In any event, to make a general comment on public servants, we are fortunate in this country to have high standards of public service across Departments. There is no doubt there are strengths and weaknesses, but overall Irish public servants have done well by the State since its foundation. That has been made manifest most recently in the public service's response to Covid-19, an unprecedented once-in-100-years pandemic, at national and local levels. Therefore, let us not tar everybody with the same brush regarding one particular issue, development, incident or action in one local authority. I believe in the Irish public service. I have my criticisms and frustrations, but fundamentally in respect of how this State is organised, we need a strong public service and to ensure it is adequately resourced and given the leadership it requires. That is fundamental to a parliamentary democracy. That is my view on that.

On local democracy, we delegate authority to local councils. They may not always decide on policies or issues we are happy with or agree with and we may disagree with actions taken. My understanding of the first council meeting is that councils are obliged under statute to convene a meeting after a SIPO report. I can check that, but that is my understanding. The first meeting would have been adjourned until a subsequent meeting. A SIPO report should be taken very seriously, of course, in respect of actions. With regard to a more general principle — I do not have the full background here — as far as I am concerned there has to be a very clear demarcation line between governments, be they local or national, and media. The independence of media is a central tenet of our democracy and should always be respected and protected.

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