Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú's request with regard to RTE and the continuation of medium wave services. Approximately 10% of listeners have medium wave and it is used quite extensively, particularly overseas as well as here at home. I cannot understand what justification RTE would give for the discontinuation of the service. Perhaps we could request the Leader to have the matter discussed in the Chamber and bring the responsible Minister to the House.

Will the Leader arrange a discussion on the proposal published on the website of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. James Hamilton, and which I greatly welcome, seeking submissions with regard to policy on the giving of reasons for non-prosecution in many cases?

I also take this opportunity to ask the DPP why he has re-entered the prosecution on Michael Fahy, the councillor from County Galway who was acquitted in the Court of Criminal Appeal on 28 November. He suffered eight months in Castlerea Prison and was given a considerable fine but he has recommenced his work as a member of Galway County Council. Now, the DPP has decided to re-enter a case against him. This is not prosecution, it is persecution of a man doing his duty — he brought his mother home for Christmas from a welfare home. The DPP has decided it was a mistrial, irrespective of the decision by Mr. Justice Finnegan, Mr. Justice Feeney and Ms Justice Irvine that the case was to be thrown out.

In the circumstances, I ask the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Hamilton, why he has re-entered this case when there are so many cases to be heard before our courts. It is a waste of public funds and the matter should be left aside. This man has suffered enough. I ask the DPP to reconsider his decision.