Feargal Quinn (Independent)

We have often spoken about road safety and I have congratulated the National Road Safety Council on the advertisements it has placed. I was jolted when I learned that our public service broadcaster this week withdrew an advertisement from the National Road Safety Council because of an objection from one of its advertisers. The advertiser of the motor car which appeared in the NRSC advertisement was concerned that there might be an association in the public mind between that motor car and the accident. I do not believe there would be any such thing. It is a disgrace that a public service broadcaster is at the behest of a commercial company. This company sponsors "The Late Late Show" and demanded that the advertisement be withdrawn because its motor car appeared in it. There should be a clear line between commercial influences and public service broadcasting or newspaper reporting. The Government should investigate this matter.