Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Too many Departments have not made the distinction between media and public relations officers. Their biggest problem is a lack of understanding of the media. I would welcome an informed debate on this issue.

On the issue of Northern Ireland, it must be recognised that little will happen this side of the Westminster election. Little else will happen between that election and the next Irish election. Instead, a political vacuum will exist over the medium term. While there will be contacts between the parties, I believe we should focus on the fallout and consequences of this situation. I am particularly worried about a community vacuum. The Seanad has had significant discussions on the Good Friday Agreement. On the two occasions I recall, we finished up with an understanding that the east-west dimension of the Agreement was being ignored. I now believe that the North-South aspect has suffered badly over recent years. There must be a focussed discussion, not just on Sinn Féin and the talks. I want to hear positive proposals as to how we can deepen the involvement of cross-community efforts, North and South in the island and east and west between the two islands.

The focus must not just be on the Irish language issue but also include Scots-Gaelic and Welsh aspects. We have not done enough in this regard and I have given examples. People on this and the neighbouring island are concerned where the main economic corridor between the two islands will exist. Will it be at Belfast, Dublin-Holyhead or Cork and Wexford to south Wales and England? We should be declaring that it will be all three points. We must also look at the involvement of groups such as Co-operation Ireland and how it can make an input. I must declare an interest as I am involved with Co-operation Ireland. I ask for a debate on these aspects of the Good Friday Agreement which can now be moved forward.

Hanging on this is the question of an understanding in the North of what is being discussed in the South, particularly over the past three days. Whether one agrees with the Government's position, coverage of the debate does not reach east Belfast, as there is no RTE reception there. Under the Good Friday Agreement, we must ensure all parts of the island have access to all television stations broadcasting on this island. RTE should be as available in east Belfast as it is in west Belfast where it is freely available. It is simply a matter of turning the transmitter to ensure this happens.

I wish to make one other point. Before Christmas, the Leader raised the issue of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, of which I am vice-chairman. Members will be aware that it has not been a good week in terms of the legal outcome. I am happy to brief people on the issue. The chief executive, Ms Patricia Byron, or the chairperson, Ms Dorothea Dowling, would be happy to brief Members of the House who wish to hear more about the matter. The Personal Injuries Assessment Board is still doing its business and dealing directly with customers. It will be producing rewards and bringing finality to claims processed in the past six months, beginning from the first week or two in March. As we said when the Bill was going through the House, it will at least be clear that this business can be done without solicitors and quickly. Certain cases require solicitors but we must make the distinction between the two types of cases.