Shane Ross (Independent)

I would like to take up Senator Hanafin's fair point about the Seanad not getting proper coverage from the media. We should examine the reasons we do not get the sort of coverage we would like to get. It is not the case that the House does not do important work, because it is involved in important and effective work. The media does not necessarily cover matters that are important or bodies that work effectively. The media is governed by other, more immediate, considerations. The House should examine the fact that the media does not consider it to be particularly relevant. Senator Hanafin rightly mentioned that RTE reports the proceedings of the House, but I contend that it does so because it has to cover us, rather than because it wants to cover us. It broadcasts Seanad reports late at night because nobody is watching late at night. RTE is obliged to cover the Dáil and Seanad because it has a public service obligation.