John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

On numerous occasions I have listened to debates here and they are well ordered, incisive and worth listening to. I am disappointed the media consistently refuse, for whatever reason, to take note of what is said in this House. As a matter of interest, Mr. Peter Sutherland, Mrs. Mary Robinson and President Mary McAleese have something in common — they failed to be elected to the Dáil. This House offers very good debate but that does not seem important to the editors of newspapers. I call on the Deputy Leader to contact the editors and ask them to include a report on the Seanad in their papers. We get good coverage on "Oireachtas Report". However, I am sad the useful debates that take place in an ordered manner that can be listened to are not being reported in the newspapers.