Results 5,501-5,520 of 9,753 for speaker:Terry Leyden

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: It was a very good point.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: Who does the Taoiseach fear in this House?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I would like to second the amendment to the Order of Business that has been proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. Can the Deputy Leader of the House advise me on how I might go about raising the serious issue of the libel costs of €100,000 that were awarded against RTE following comments that were made by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte? It seems that the case was settled-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: That is correct. I want to clarify the situation. I think a statement should be made.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I am calling for a debate in this House on the alleged payment of a settlement of €100,000 to a former detective sergeant, Alan Bailey, by RTE after he was defamed by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, six years ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: No, it is not.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I have been paying RTE for a television licence - the current annual fee is €160 - for the last 30 years. I am entitled to ask for clarification on where my licence fee is going.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: The point-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I have. I would like to enlighten Senator Norris because he needs to be enlightened.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: It is also in the Senator's paper - the Irish Independent - by the way.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: The case was settled, lo and behold, the day the Minister met the RTE authority - last Tuesday, 8 May 2012 - and then the RTE authority was not abolished.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: The chairman was not abolished by the Minister. What a coincidence.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I would like this House to debate the conduct of RTE. As far as I can see, RTE did not publish the details of this settlement on its website. When I checked the website earlier today, there was no mention of this case.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: Fr. Kevin Reynolds was maligned by RTE. The chairman and the board of RTE were sacked by a Fianna Fáil Minister after Kevin O'Kelly interviewed Seán Mac Stiofáin contrary to section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I would like to know where else I can raise this matter. I have asked the Deputy Leader to give me an opportunity to make this point.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I want to raise this issue and to get a response on it from RTE, which is a State company. We can be sure this will not be broadcast on "Oireachtas Report".

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: There is silence on the other side.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I do not think-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: In fairness, we were elected to this House. I am entitled to ask questions of the Deputy Leader of the House. I want to know whether it is possible for me to raise this issue in an orderly manner.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Terry Leyden: I wonder whether such a request would be granted. I do not think it would be allowed because RTE is a semi-State company.