Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased that my colleague, Senator Ross, alluded to yesterday's debate. This was the main reason I indicated to speak. The Leader and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges are to be applauded for facilitating the Seanad in embarking on a new and challenging route in establishing a dialogue with Members of the European Parliament. However, with the exception of The Irish Times, there is no indication in today's editions of the national newspapers that any such debate took place. Even the report in The Irish Times merely rehashes the Minister's script, to take up Senator Ross's point, and refers to the contribution of one MEP. It is as if no Member of this House made any contribution to the debate.

This comes at a time when the media are making justifiable inquiries into trips abroad by Deputies and Senators. One Member referred in this House yesterday to media coverage of the recent visit by Deputies to Argentina as despicable. As somebody who understands and works in the media, I reiterate that I have no problem with journalists using their constitutional right to make us accountable. However, they too have an equal obligation to report adequately and properly on what we in this House and Members of the other House do. They regularly and lamentably fail to do so.

This House should no longer continue to accept the inequalities that exist in the media in regard to how matters in this House are reported. There has been criticism in the media of the Government and politicians for not doing enough to inform the public about the constitutional treaty.